Reid Tries To Weasel A Backdoor Deal On Banning Oil Shale Drilling

Posted by on 9/25/2008

He is a disgrace!  But you already knew that.  Here is what you didn’t know:

This comes as both a stunning and ridiculous development; Americans are still coping with high energy prices and coming to grips with a plan to bailout Wall Street, and Senator Reid is denying access to potentially one of America’s most abundant energy reserves. Just how much energy you ask?

Dr. Daniel Fine of MIT reported that 750 billion barrels worth of oil shale have been discovered in Colorado alone. That amount is enough to potentially power the U.S. economy for many decades. Furthermore, if full-scale production begins within five years, the U.S. could completely end its dependence on OPEC by 2020:

In essence, Senator Reid is stripping the decision rights away from his colleagues in other states.

Allahpundit:

Here’s a fact sheet from Gingrich’s American Solutions group noting that America’s oil shale deposits are fully three times the size of Saudi Arabia’s proven oil reserves, and here’s the contact information for all 100 senators. Go rattle some cages. Exit question: How about a hastily arranged presser for the Barracuda to stress her outrageous outrage at this development?

Update: A reader e-mailed Reid’s spokesman for comment and got this reply. I’m not kidding about rattling cages.

There is a possibility the Senate will be asked to vote on reestablishing the moratorium on oil shale extraction. Although Senate Democrats support measures to increase this nation’s energy supply, oil shale extraction has not been proven to be economically viable, will produce more greenhouse gases, and will significantly decrease the West’s water supply.

Americans for Prosperity responds:

“Only in Harry Reid’s Washington could a ban on energy production and the thousands of manufacturing jobs it would create be considered an ‘economic stimulus.’

“Somebody needs to ask Harry Reid how blocking private companies from creating good jobs and lowering the cost of energy for millions of American families will do anything to get our economy back on track. No wonder Congressional approval levels are at historic lows and we find ourselves in this economic situation.

“Every Senator who truly cares about an economic recovery should tell Harry Reid to remove this cynical provision from his so-called ‘economic stimulus’ bill immediately, and if he refuses to do so, they should vote against this bill.”

Redstate: Get on the phone right now:

Call your Senator right now at (202)224-3121 and tell him to tell Harry Reid not to put the drilling ban back in the continuing resolution.

Section 1602 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2008 needs to get tossed.

Others Blogging:

Democrats, Economy, Energy Prices, Presidential Election '08, State/Local Elections '06, ,

2 Comments.

  1. Robert 9/25/2008 at September 25, 2008 - 04:48 PM

    Reid should be arrested on the floor of the Senate and taken straight to prison. He is another Constitutional criminal. He has violated his sworn oath and the trust of the people.

    If I had my way, we’d bring back the guillotine…

  2. snowy egret 9/29/2008 at September 29, 2008 - 08:17 AM

    REPTILE,SNAKE,WEASEL,SCUMBALL,LOWLIFE NO GOOD SIDEWINDING OWLHOOT HE DESERVES TO GET SENT TO SAN QUENTIN AND LOCK IN SOLITARY CONFINMENT THIS REALY RUFFLES MY FEATHERS SQUAWK SQUAWK SNOWY EGRETS SPITTING MAD SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK:-w>-)