Old Florida needs to let go of old ways
http://www.alligator.org/opinion/columns/article_c6cc7ea6-dd75-11de-b631-001cc4c03286.html

FL Commissioner Says Offshore Drilling Not Worth It–Does Argument Apply to Rest of US?
http://www.heatingoil.com/home/fl-commissioner-offshore-drilling-worth-itdoes-argument-apply-rest1127/

Oil Spills: “The fact is, these things happen”
http://hrsierraclub.org/2009/11/29/oil-spills-the-fact-is-these-things-happen/

Offshore drilling near Santa Barbara brings energy debate home (CA)
http://www.examiner.com/x-30760-Santa-Barbara-Environmental-News-Examiner~y2009m11d20-Offshore-oil-drilling-off-the-coast-of-Santa-Barbara

Offshore Oil Drilling Debate Renewed in Senate Hearing (US)
http://solveclimate.com/blog/20091119/offshore-oil-drilling-debate-renewed-senate-hearing
“Statistics from the Energy Information Administration say that in 2030, when OCS production is expected to reach its peak, it will reduce US dependence on foreign oil only 2.5 percent, which translates into three cents a gallon at the pump. In April of this year, the EIA said the U.S. imported 58 percent of its petroleum in 2007 and expects that dependence of foreign sources to decline over the next two decades. Still, the report says that the US produces 10 percent of the world’s petroleum and consumes 24 percent. If reducing dependence on foreign oil is a primary concern, say some groups, then the best solution is not necessarily to drill for more domestic oil but to reduce the amount of fossil fuels needed in the domestic economy.”

Transcript of Skytruth’s John Amos to Senate on Offshore Oil Drilling (US)
http://thatsmycongress.com/index.php/2009/11/19/transcript-of-skytruths-john-amos-to-senate-on-offshore-oil-drilling/
“In summary, offshore drilling is an inherently risky venture. Accidents happen despite the most technologically advanced systems. Nature can create insurmountable situations, and infrastructure ages and becomes vulnerable. Recent history shows that when things go wrong the consequences can become severe.”

You Can Believe Big Oil, Right?

Today's headlines included two gems.

First we had Big Oil to Congress: Expand offshore drilling

Wow, what a shocker. Big oil is in favor of drilling off your beach. When Jeffrey Short of Oceana stated "The potentially irreversible effects of oil pollution on marine ecosystems and their dependent economies do not justify the potential short-term economic gains that might accrue from offshore oil and gas development," the industry responded by saying that "improved drilling technology allows oil companies to search for supplies in an environmentally friendly way." I guess that improved technology must have happened real recently, like since the 9-million gallon oil spill off Australia that finally was capped a couple of weeks ago.

Then there was Oil-paid study says Arctic spills easier to clean

The oil companies (BP, Shell, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Statoil Hydro of Norway, Eni of Italy and Total of France) paid for a study that concluded that (surprise), even though oil spills are really, really unlikely, if they do happen in icy areas "ice can act as a natural blockade, giving responders more time for cleanup." The article then notes that "The findings conflict with conventional wisdom. Environmentalists cite botched spill cleanup experiments that occurred a decade ago in the Beaufort Sea. At the time, the state of Alaska determined that Prudhoe Bay oil field operator BP could not adequately clean spills in slushy water."

But, not to worry America, Big Oil has your best interests at heart.

Pinellas lawmakers lash out against offshore drilling (FL)
http://blogs.tampabay.com/baybuzz/2009/11/pinellas-lawmakers-lash-out-against-offshore-drilling.html
"I don't know who in their right mind would consider moving this legislation forward," cracked Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island. "Obviously, someone who doesn't live in coastal Florida."

Senate candidates vie to show their green credentials (MA)
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/11/how_green_is_my.html
“All four candidates said they opposed offshore drilling.”

Drilling: wrong way to go (FL)
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091114/COLUMNIST/911141005/2127?Title=Drilling-wrong-way-to-go

Don't risk our future by drilling off our coasts (FL)
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091116/OPINION03/911161001/1109/SPORTS?Title=June-Girard-Don-t-risk-our-future-by-drilling-off-our-coasts

Brakes tapped on oil drilling (FL)
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091114/ARTICLE/911141020/-1/NEWSSITEMAP

US to lease 36 mln offshore acres for oil drilling (Central Gulf of Mexico)
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1330949520091113
"Lease Sale 213 will involve about 6,800 tracts spread over 35.9 million acres located 3 to 250 miles off the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The blocks are in water depths from 10 feet to more than 11,200 feet.
The proposed sale blocks include about 4.2 million acres in an area know as 181 South, near the Alabama-Florida offshore border. Drilling off Florida in the Gulf is only allowed far from the state's shoreline."

Official: NC offshore oil potential is overstated
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091116/ARTICLES/911164005/-1/LIVING?Title=Official-NC-offshore-oil-potential-is-overstated

A Hunk, A Hunk of ... Burned Oil Rig

Aftermath of the oil rig fire that broke out at the end of the 10-week-long, 9 million gallon oil spill in the Timor Sea off Northwestern Australia.

Offshore drilling claims by oil and gas industry: lies and half-truths? (FL)
http://www.examiner.com/x-29137-Tallahassee-Environmental-News-Examiner~y2009m11d10-Offshore-drilling-claims-by-oil-and-gas-industry-lies-and-halftruths

Some Locals Line Up Against Drilling (FL)
http://www.jaxobserver.com/2009/11/10/some-locals-line-up-against-drilling/

Governor gains leverage in coast oil drilling fight (CA)
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/breaking_news/story/916896.html
Also http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/nov/11/governor-gains-leverage-in-offshore-oil-drilling/

Alaska Natives seek restrictions on drilling
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jS0fA1u9RL7e6uO-KFeK_1-y4B1gD9BTJBOG0