In The News
Tulsa World: Inhofe blasts hydraulic fracturing proposal
Thursday July 29, 2010
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe warned Wednesday that hydraulic fracturing provisions unexpectedly included into an energy proposal would kill the natural gas industry.
"If you do away with hydraulic fracturing, you do away with natural gas,'' the Oklahoma Republican said.
Inhofe joined other Senate Republicans in criticizing not only specific provisions included in the Democratic proposal but the anticipated process that they believe will block amendments once the matter hits the Senate floor.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said the proposal unveiled by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will not lead to a serious debate.
That did not keep Inhofe from taking a serious swipe at the hydraulic fracturing provisions. At stake, he said, is the natural gas industry's capability to provide enough supply to run the country for the next 100 years.
"If you do away with hydraulic fracturing, you do away with natural gas,'' the Oklahoma Republican said.
Inhofe joined other Senate Republicans in criticizing not only specific provisions included in the Democratic proposal but the anticipated process that they believe will block amendments once the matter hits the Senate floor.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said the proposal unveiled by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will not lead to a serious debate.
That did not keep Inhofe from taking a serious swipe at the hydraulic fracturing provisions. At stake, he said, is the natural gas industry's capability to provide enough supply to run the country for the next 100 years.
E&E; News: Fracking language makes its way into Senate bill
Wednesday July 28, 2010
The Senate language released late last night contains a new provision that would require oil and gas drilling companies using a controversial production technique to disclose information about the chemicals used in the process.
The hydraulic fracturing provision was not included in the draft summary of the legislation that Democrats released yesterday afternoon.
The measure is similar to language that has supposedly been under discussion as a compromise between Democrats, who want stronger regulation of the technology, and industry groups and Republicans, who oppose stricter regulation.
The hydraulic fracturing provision was not included in the draft summary of the legislation that Democrats released yesterday afternoon.
The measure is similar to language that has supposedly been under discussion as a compromise between Democrats, who want stronger regulation of the technology, and industry groups and Republicans, who oppose stricter regulation.
The Hill: Gibbs suggests climate measures could be added to Senate bill
Tuesday July 27, 2010
Climate measures could be added in conference to an energy bill the Senate will take up this week, according to the White House.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said he wouldn't rule out adding some climate measures to the legislation in conference, assuming a scaled-down energy bill passes the Senate.
The measure in the Senate drops the language from the House dealing with climate change and carbon emissions. By dropping those controversial measures, Democrats hope they can pass a bill through the Senate before lawmakers leave for the August recess.
"I don't think the bill is essentially
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said he wouldn't rule out adding some climate measures to the legislation in conference, assuming a scaled-down energy bill passes the Senate.
The measure in the Senate drops the language from the House dealing with climate change and carbon emissions. By dropping those controversial measures, Democrats hope they can pass a bill through the Senate before lawmakers leave for the August recess.
"I don't think the bill is essentially
END THE OBAMA JOBS MORATORIUM
Tuesday July 27, 2010
It was dubbed the "Rally for Economic Survival"-nearly 15,000 Louisianans gathered in the Cajun Dome on July 21st to protest the Obama Administration's jobs moratorium in the Gulf. The reason was clear: the moratorium is destroying people's livelihoods. "I'm here because I'm worried," said attendee John Henry, whose company does cement work for offshore wells. "We're already slowing things down at work. If companies can't drill, it will get worse."
This is not about Big Oil; it's about the people who earn a decent living because of domestic offshore energy production, which contributes to the goals presumably everyone shares: fueling America's economy and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. And if there is one brutal fact about the jobs moratorium, it is this: the impacts are widespread, affecting everyone from entrepreneurs and innovators, waiters and waitresses, small and large businesses, hotel and restaurant owners, equipment suppliers and pipe manufacturers, and shrimpers and fishermen.
This is not about Big Oil; it's about the people who earn a decent living because of domestic offshore energy production, which contributes to the goals presumably everyone shares: fueling America's economy and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. And if there is one brutal fact about the jobs moratorium, it is this: the impacts are widespread, affecting everyone from entrepreneurs and innovators, waiters and waitresses, small and large businesses, hotel and restaurant owners, equipment suppliers and pipe manufacturers, and shrimpers and fishermen.
The Oklahoman: Hot town, summer in the city
Tuesday July 27, 2010
It's been pretty hot in Washington, D.C., and along the East Coast this summer, so it's not surprising global warming - sorry, climate change! - enthusiasts use the higher temps to argue their view. One of the leaders of the pack is The New York Times' Thomas Friedman, who cites hot weather here and in Russia in a column headlined, "We're Gonna Be Sorry." Friedman mourns the failure of climate change legislation in the Senate (forecast for months by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma) and the continued greenhouse-gas assault on Mother Nature
E&E; News: Senate Republican moves to block lame-duck push for carbon cap
Tuesday July 27, 2010
A Senate Republican introduced legislation today aimed at preventing Democrats from adding cap and trade to a House and Senate energy conference, a move anticipated by some Republicans if the Senate fails to pass a climate bill under normal procedures.
The amendment from Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) would require the support of two-thirds of the Senate, or 67 votes, to include cap-and-trade climate legislation in a House-Senate conference report if the Senate has not already debated and approved it with the normal 60-vote threshold.
"My legislation holds Congress accountable and ensures a fair and open debate about cap and trade instead of quietly slipping it into law," Johanns said. "It's shocking that the majority would consider circumventing the will of the public to pass cap and trade in a lame-duck session with zero debate in the Senate."
The amendment from Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) would require the support of two-thirds of the Senate, or 67 votes, to include cap-and-trade climate legislation in a House-Senate conference report if the Senate has not already debated and approved it with the normal 60-vote threshold.
"My legislation holds Congress accountable and ensures a fair and open debate about cap and trade instead of quietly slipping it into law," Johanns said. "It's shocking that the majority would consider circumventing the will of the public to pass cap and trade in a lame-duck session with zero debate in the Senate."
Wash. Post: Among House Democrats in Rust Belt, a sense of abandonment over energy bill
Tuesday July 27, 2010
When Democratic Rep. John Boccieri went home to Ohio early this year to talk with voters in his Canton-based district, he figured he would have to do battle with at least some constituents over his support for health-care reform. And the economic stimulus. And the auto company bailouts.
But at a meeting with business leaders, he had to come up with fast answers on something completely different: Why, the businessmen wanted to know, had Boccieri voted for a bill last summer to cap carbon emissions, which they feared would drive up their energy bills in the middle of a recession?
Boccieri said he was tired of wars based on "petrol dictators and big oil."
But at a meeting with business leaders, he had to come up with fast answers on something completely different: Why, the businessmen wanted to know, had Boccieri voted for a bill last summer to cap carbon emissions, which they feared would drive up their energy bills in the middle of a recession?
Boccieri said he was tired of wars based on "petrol dictators and big oil."
More Mixed Messages from Democrats on Liability Caps - Now Senator Kerry Says Unlimited Unlikely
Monday July 26, 2010
AL HUNT: And what do you think the Senate will do on the oil, on the cap, the liability cap on oil? Something that is really -
SEN. KERRY: Well, I think we ought to look -
AL HUNT: Will you eliminate it or just raise it?
SEN. KERRY: Well, I think we ought to raise it.
AL HUNT: And raise it to what?
SEN. KERRY: Oh, I’m not going to throw out a casual number, but I think we ought to find out what the political market here and the Senate will bear and get to a realistic figure.
SEN. KERRY: Well, I think we ought to look -
AL HUNT: Will you eliminate it or just raise it?
SEN. KERRY: Well, I think we ought to raise it.
AL HUNT: And raise it to what?
SEN. KERRY: Oh, I’m not going to throw out a casual number, but I think we ought to find out what the political market here and the Senate will bear and get to a realistic figure.
Landrieu on Raising Liability Caps
Monday July 26, 2010
Ed Shultz: Finally, Senator, I’m short on time here. Are you for unlimited caps on liability?
Sen. Landrieu: I am for BP paying every single penny that they owe. And if we can raise the caps without crashing the entire industry then I’m for it. But I’m not for putting people out of work – I’m for putting people in work.
Ed Shultz: So, unlimited doesn’t fit with you?
Sen. Landrieu: Well, if it puts the industry out of work, no. Now, if we can do it in a way that doesn’t put the industry out of work, and holds BP accountable, I’m for it. And if you haven’t checked, we can’t lose any jobs in America – we need every one.
Ed Shultz: I know that. We can’t lose the environment either.
Sen. Landrieu: I am for BP paying every single penny that they owe. And if we can raise the caps without crashing the entire industry then I’m for it. But I’m not for putting people out of work – I’m for putting people in work.
Ed Shultz: So, unlimited doesn’t fit with you?
Sen. Landrieu: Well, if it puts the industry out of work, no. Now, if we can do it in a way that doesn’t put the industry out of work, and holds BP accountable, I’m for it. And if you haven’t checked, we can’t lose any jobs in America – we need every one.
Ed Shultz: I know that. We can’t lose the environment either.
Newsbusters: Anatomy of a Botched Ambush: ABC Fails to Score Global Warming Point on Inhofe
Monday July 26, 2010
It's so hot outside, you could fry an egg ..." or something like that.
Perhaps ABC News should have rehearsed their attempted dramatic presentation to promote global warming alarmism before going forward. But instead, they have egg on their face.
According to a spokesman for Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., a producer for ABC News senior congressional correspondent Jonathan Karl requested an interview about pending climate legislation. However, the producer insisted it be conducted outside instead of in the U.S. Capitol or in any of the surrounding Senate office buildings. Washington, D.C. temperatures have been in excess of 95 degrees. An abbreviated clip of the interview aired on ABCNews.com's "Topline" on July 23.
Perhaps ABC News should have rehearsed their attempted dramatic presentation to promote global warming alarmism before going forward. But instead, they have egg on their face.
According to a spokesman for Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., a producer for ABC News senior congressional correspondent Jonathan Karl requested an interview about pending climate legislation. However, the producer insisted it be conducted outside instead of in the U.S. Capitol or in any of the surrounding Senate office buildings. Washington, D.C. temperatures have been in excess of 95 degrees. An abbreviated clip of the interview aired on ABCNews.com's "Topline" on July 23.
