Bush: Lift the Ban on Offshore Drilling
President Bush called for a speedy end to the ban on offshore oil drilling in American coastal waters Wednesday, chiding his congressional challengers by declaring that there’s “no excuse for delay” in lifting the “outdated and counterproductive” restrictions. However, some of his political opponents on this issue, like California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, are giving him heat from his own side of the political aisle.
Wait, before you go…BBC:
Mr Bush’s father, George Bush, imposed a moratorium on coastal oil exploration in 1990.
Since then offshore drilling and exploration have only been allowed in the Western and Central Gulf of Mexico regions plus parts of Alaska.
The federal bans were enacted in part to protect tourism and lessen the chance of oil spills washing on to beaches.
The Democrats, and some Republicans who represent coastal states, oppose ending the moratorium.
“We are in this situation because of our dependence on traditional petroleum-based oil,” said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican.
He advocated “new technologies and new fuel choices for consumers” instead.
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