Published Thursday, May 29, 2008 in Local
Drill now solution to soaring gas prices- Westmoreland
The Times-Herald
Drill now.
That was the simple solution U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland offered for high gasoline prices on Thursday morning. Westmoreland, a Republican who lives near Grantville, told members of White Oak Golden K that America has sufficient oil and shale resources but must exert the political will to use them.
"We are going to have to step up to the plate and make some hard political decisions," Westmoreland said.
"It's not that hard. You just have to have the political will to do it," he stated. "The only way we're going to help is to help ourselves." Much of Westmoreland's talk at the civic club meeting at the Special Events Center concerned gasoline prices and energy issues.
The congressman also presented letters of appreciation to club members who took part in a recent highway cleanup project.
"I don't know how many of you have noticed, but gas prices are a little high right now," Westmoreland joked as he began his talk.
Westmoreland gave the example of Norway -- a nation that relies on its natural environment for many of its major industries, including fishing and tourism. Twenty years ago, Norway was completely dependent upon foreign oil.
Today, Norway produces its own oil and exports more oil than any other nation, except Saudi Arabia. "They made a decision that they were not going to be dependent on" other countries for their petroleum needs, he said.
"We are sitting on -- in this country -- the largest reserve of shale oil," Westmoreland said. Shale was used to produce oil years ago, but legal restrictions largely prevent that process being used today.
"We refuse to do it. The reason we refuse to do it, it is not a popular political thing," he stated.
"We need to be drilling. We need to be drilling today," Westmoreland said. He said the process to turn coal into oil has been around for years -- having been used by Adolf Hitler in 1937 to supply Germany's war machinery.
He suggested America may need to adjust some policies, such as those which make it cheaper to drill for oil offshore than on land -- and to move toward more production of electricity by nuclear plants. "We can't continue to produce electricity with coal and natural gas," Westmoreland said.
"Green is a very popular word," the congressman noted. He said that while visiting a company in LaGrange that makes oil filters on Wednesday, he was told about a "green" oil filter that is now being produced.
"All of that sounds good, but we cannot conserve our way out of the energy crisis we're in," Westmoreland said.
In 2006, Nancy Pelosi, who has since become U.S. Speaker of the House, announced the Democrats had "a common sense plan to bring down the skyrocketing price of gas," Westmoreland said. He noted gas cost $2.06 per gallon at the time.
"They unveiled that plan in January of 2007," Westmoreland said. Pres. George W. Bush signed the bill into law late last year, but Westmoreland voted against it -- calling it "a non-energy plan."
He said the 316-page law mentions gasoline 12 times and crude oil six times. "The word lamp or lightbulb is mentioned 350 times," he said, while swimming pools are mentioned 47 times.
Westmoreland said he went to Home Depot and bought energy-saver bulbs to install in all the light sockets in his home. "I went to the pump the next day and gas had gone up," he said, an ironic tone in his voice.
He said there has been lots of discussion about windmills and solar panels, but he said using both -- under optimum conditions -- would produce only about 3 percent of the energy the nation needs.
To put lots of emphasis on such programs is "just crazy," he said.
He also was critical of suggestions to not put oil into the nation's oil reserves this year. He said the reserve supply is what keeps America from being at the mercy of OPEC oil producers. "They know we'll use that oil (in the strategic oil reserve) to go over there and kick their tails," Westmoreland said.
Keeping this year's allocation out of the reserve is being proposed by some politicians "for political expediency to satisfy their base," he said.
Commenting on this story has ended.
To talk about NOT drilling is a suicidal solution at this juncture of our history, that only the Dems and some squishy Repubs would like. Foremost uil reclamation would send a powerful message to our enemies that we are awakening from a sleep and want out of their their oil soaked he--holes. Obama will bury us with his tax plan. Look carefully. Every time he talks about taxing the rich, it really means nailing the middle class. Most of the taxes in this country come from the 1% at the top of the economic ladder. If McCain wants to win , he had better turn his horse around on this issue. Otherwise, we will have our first socialist President. I worked for the press for my entire life and 90% of our ‘reportes and commentators were left-wing Democrats. Expect them to go attack McCai like never before. N.B. Schsefer
Posted by Norm Schaefer at 11:14 PM
America is hurting and needs lower prices at the gasoline pumps. The answer for this is drill where the oil is, regardless if it is on land or in the ocean. Drill now and don't wait for tomorrow it will take care of itself. Also, build a refinery too help the cause. DRILL IN AMERICA AND DRILL NOW.
Posted by E. L. Oglesby at 8:04 PM
The Drill Now solution expressed in this article shows the Democrat "common Sense Plan"to reduce gas prices for what it is,a cave-in to the powerful environmental lobby, and will never solve anything!
Posted by Bernie Tusko at 1:14 PM
Anyone that knows anything about oil prices has to realize that drilling for oil WILL NOT SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER GAS PRICES. There is more oil in the world, right now, that we can us. The oil speculators, those that set the price of oil, are the one that are increasing oil prices. Look it up! Drilling in Alaska would, in 9 years, bring oil PER BARREL down 50 cents. At the pump you would not know the difference. In 20 years, when the oil in Alaska actually is at peak, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference AT ALL. Do research, don't blame environmentalist, blame businessmen; they run this country.
Posted by Zach at 8:23 PM
I think all we really have to do to lower prices is to have the political powers that be relax the restrictions on drilling. The mere thought of us being determined to become energy independent will force prices down. Currently, we are not paying extra because there is a worldwide shortage; its because speculators are hording the oil and driving the price up due to fear of a shortage. We also need to stop providing aid to oil rich countries. We need more nuclear to produce our electricity. We need to vote out of office everyone that would have us save the spotted owl or the caribou over our children. I heard the same arguments about the devastation to the environment if we put the Alaskan pipeline in. Its in, what's the devastation. In fact, I hear the caribou are leaning up against it for warmth. We need to eliminate tax breaks for buying gas guzzlers. We need to provide incentives to business to lead us out of the crisis with technology. Conservation isn't going to do it by itself. Nothing by itself will solve the problem. We need a comprehensive plan. We need to get off the back of the oil companies and place the blame where it belongs--CONGRESS!!!
Posted by M. Rizzo at 8:16 PM
It has been said that countries around the world are looking for oil,the rest of the world is looking for oil and not concerned about eviromental issues,Who do you tjink would be more concerned about the enviromant while drilling? China? Russia. I would rather see US companies who care about envirimental issue dill of our coast then China who could care less about the enviorment.
Posted by Eric Seflow at 11:21 AM
As high prices yield to actual shortages, it will be interesting to see if the environmental lobby will still be able to convince the American people that drilling for more oil is "off the table". I can not foresee a person who has lost a job, lost a house, or who cares for a child in need saying to them "No, son, we won't drill for that nasty oil that we've used for the last 100 years, our Congressman and the Sierra Club won't allow it." Yeah, right!
Posted by Richard Seballos at 8:52 AM
did Mr. Westmoreland say how long it will take for America to become independent of foreign oil? is there something we should be doing while the drilling process is in progess?
Posted by bob at 11:12 AM
I agree, in part, with Rep. Westmorland. We need to drill for oil here in America. But we must enforce environmental rules that protect our beautiful country. We must also require that oil companies continue the research to develop alternative fuels. Oil is a natural resource and as such is not in finite supply. New fuels as well as requiring higher mpg in our cars, conservation. Mr. Westmoreland seems to think that it is foolish thing to conserve. We are the stewards of God's creation. Protecting it and using it wisely is not an option but a requirement. Responsibility rests not only with the world's citizens but with corporations, nations, etc. Things like recycling, conservation in conjunction with development of new fuels will make a big difference in the long run.
Posted by William C. Becker at 4:01 PM
drilling for oil
7/15/2008
Link To This Comment
We are the greatest country in the world. We should be drilling for oil and not depending on other countries. Lets get out act together and come together as one.
Posted by Janie Lansford at 2:59 PM