WASHINGTON — Shaking up years of energy policy and his own environmental backers, President Barack Obama threw open a huge swath of East Coast waters...
I'm an environmentalist and have worked in the environmental science and resources management fields and I support the announcement as well. People shouldn't let hardcore ideology blind them to what might be accomplished by using this type of policy decision to affect the changes that we all want in the long run.
People need to stop behaving like Senator McCain--saying that, because things haven't gone exactly as expected, they are going to just take all their toys and go home. Obama's election didn't transform our country into a utopia. It has, however, given us an opportunity to move forward that we shouldn't let pass because we don't agree 100% with how he's trying to do it.
earthzero: I'm an environmentalist and have worked in the environmental science
Realistic Choice: It is 99% guaranteed to happen next time a Republican is in office. I feel more confident that a Dem would take more care with the environmental impact than the other side.
DarcyB: 1st Choice: No new offshore drilling. Realistic Choice: It is
As a consequence, across the U.S.A., our parks and wilderness areas are slowly being closed to the public. Roads inside the parks are being grazed over. Mountain passes and hiking paths are being blockaded. "No fishing," "No hunting," "No trespassing" signs are being erected everywhere on public lands. Entrance fees are being jacked up 100%, even 500% higher, to keep American families out of their own lands.
The UN and its elitist masters don't want you on their property! And in case you do "trespass" and enter forbidden areas of these pristine UN lands, you might just be shot. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents and park personnel are now taught to love nature's Mother Earth and to despise and loathe human beings. They are being given firearms and instructed to use them. Meanwhile, foreign immigrants from India, China, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Russia and other nations are being recruited for this national park service police duty because, unlike U.S. nationals, non-English speaking foreigners will not hesitate to carry out orders and shoot American citizen= "intruders
“Would our world be better off in ten years with no drilling off the East Coast yet also without a comprehensive energy policy†– near specious sophistry.
Would our nation be better off in ten years absent sell-out to the HC insurance industry, Big Pharma & bankers, & no comprehensive non-profit reform? The question is what Mr Obama’s track record has been, & whether he gives more consideration to campaign contributions that drive our shameful electoral process, or will he really work for true reform & environmental priorities? Too cynical?
Did he make secret deals with insurance, hospital, & pharmaceutical industries to maintain obscene profits & for-profit monopolies into the future?
Has he done anything to end the depraved slaughter of wolves in the Northern Rockies; the round-up of wild mustangs & burros in the west?
Has he worked to save, Grey Whales, big cats, bears, other endangered species?
Is he saving the Tongass rainforest from destruction – strip-mining?
Has he worked to save our oceans & bays from chemical & agricultural runoff? – fisheries stocks?
What we’ve seen is a political opportunist & manipulator, not dedicated reformer, or environmentalist! We’ve seen collusion with corporate profits, the super-rich & bankers in his appointments & policies – rhetoric to the contrary has been late.
When I see evidence of real “trade-offs†with corporate greed/destruction/usury & real conservation/species protections, & average people’s interests, I will re-appraise my disappointment & rising anger.
batguano: “Would our world be better off in ten years with
I'm so glad to see this article, as it meshes with how I feel about it. Again, expecting this govt and the country as a whole to enact sweeping and immediate changes regarding oil is a good thought but unrealistic. We must wean ourselves from our dependence on oil and fossil fuels, it cannot be done overnight. This is a way and the time to decrease our need for foreign oil, decrease our NEED for oil and increase research and actully begin producing cleaner energy alternatives.
I would hope that conservation groups will not take a knee-jerk reaction to this by demanding that massive changes be made all at once, assume that alternatives are not a priority and demonize this POTUS for not doing so, as it becomes counter-productive to their cause. It's pointless to demand the, of course, good alternatives immediately if the changes will not be accepted en masse by the legislators OR the American people.
shelleyt: I'm so glad to see this article, as it meshes
Big changes start with small ideas...Try this one....
“Put motion sensor on street lights this alone will save barrels of oil in the millions.
Here is the run down on costs.
Approximate amount each city spends on street lighting in a year:
Four examples of waste in Small cities on the state of Alabama
• Florence: $590,000 There are 3,438 street lights in Florence
• Muscle Shoals: $372,000
• Tuscumbia: $185,000
• Sheffield: $207,000
Residential areas are restricted to 100-watt bulbs. Only in high-traffic areas, do lights have a higher wattage, between 250 and 400.
For residential streets, 175-watt mercury or 100-watt, high-pressure sodium lights are used. 400-watt, high-pressure sodium lights along major boulevards,20% light the rest is heat.
Metal Halide lamps are more efficient than their parent, the mercury vapor arc lamp. They can be as much as 50% efficient in turning electricity into light. The other 50% is given of as heat.
I say lets get motion sensors installed on those street lights, save a ton of money. Burn less carbon fuel. Reduce light pollution. Reduce…
Mrtnz: Big changes start with small ideas...Try this one.... “Put motion
" . . . we will all witness a monumental transformation of our economy and our society, a move away from fossil fuels and toward alternative, renewable sources of energy."
And just HOW will THIS be done? The production of electric cars makes me laugh at the simpletons who laud them. Where do they think the electricity comes from? Most is generated by the burning of coal; probably the most dirty source of power generation. Things like wind generated power will never amount to even a slight fraction of our needs. The only viable solution is nuclear power but, unfortunately, many "progressives" have prevented its expansion at every opportunity.
I live near a nuclear plant that is having problems- We have several sites of nuclear waste that would cost $300-400 Billion that haven'y been cleaned up- We don't know what to do with the wasted- We just had a terrorist that was working at nuclear plants- Maybe you should research Chernobyl
Ask Ecuador about the oil companies-
Our plants are not protected- We need to have safe ways to create energy-Technology was around 30-50 yrs ago but stopped- Its time to move into the new era- and stop taking 30 steps backwards-
N
purplet: I live near a nuclear plant that is having problems-
he only viable solution is nuclear power but, unfortunately, many "progressives" have prevented its expansion at every opportunity.
Assumes facts not in evidence.
Solar generators, which concentrate the suns' energy to heat boilers which powers generators.
Fuel Cells.
Natural Gas
Bio fuels (from algae etc)
Nuclear energy is more dangerous and more expensive than coal, and radiation lasts thousands of years. Even thorium reactors have problems.
And that's your solution?
FunkyP: he only viable solution is nuclear power but, unfortunately, many
Great post. Obama is governing -- that involves compromise and tough choices and calculation. Some seem to think he runs the entire government and ask why any of his positions would ever change.
izmunuti: Great post. Obama is governing -- that involves compromise and
OMG - I can't believe that yet another supposedly progressive group is allowing itself to be co-opted in hopes of "decent climate change legislation"! Wake up, people: the GOP will NOT vote for anything that represents sound policy, and the Dems will put no such thing forward.
It's garbage in, garbage out with this Congress and Administration. Same as its always been. If it's not a law that DOESN'T protect or enhance the wealth and power of corporate America, Wall Street, and the top 1% of wealthiest Americans, it's not getting proposed or being passed.
Any environmentalist who is cool with Obama's political ploy is downright pathetic.
000Jade000: OMG - I can't believe that yet another supposedly progressive
You are correct. Rahmobama will strip the bill of anything meaningful in order to appease the Koch family and the oil industry. If this bill goes anything like health care did Rahmobama will have oil derricks on the White House lawn.
PadrePio: oooJadeooo: You are correct. Rahmobama will strip the bill of
oooJadeooo: I disagree, I am certainly more hopeful than you state here. It is a good start and expecting the legislators or the American people as a whole to embrace sweeping changes immediately is unrealistic. Let's not take our eye off the big picture and make actual day to day actions help us along to continue creating energy alternatives.
PadrePio: Sorry, but your comments are just ludicrous.
shelleyt: oooJadeooo: I disagree, I am certainly more hopeful than you
I guess I meant all areas of activism, although I think those doing the actual work rather than those complaining about what needs to be done or pushing single issues are less often self-proclaimed activists and instead just people doing what they believe in. That is, they are working in the real world which is sadly not as ideal as one would like.
I hope this doesn't sound patronizing but your education in Political Science combined with your degree in Environmental Science seems to have served you well. I think those actually making long term progress do not see things so black and white and do in fact see the forest for the trees. I hope to see more people like yourself posting on HP on all sorts of issues.
chiLA: I guess I meant all areas of activism, although I
I'm an environmentalist and I support this announcement. First, it's an announcement, not a fiat. Secondly, it comes as part of policy that promotes all forms of energy. If I ran the planet, we would delay development until our ability to balance economy and ecology improves. But, I don't run the world. In fact, we environmentalists don't have much political clout, at least in the US. Is that our fault? Who knows? But the point is that should not sacrifice progress for purity.
See this announcement within context. It helps us get to a greener economy at a time when people will not magically forgo oil use. Grab what we can and live on to fight stronger later.
Tony_Dickey: I'm an environmentalist and I support this announcement. First, it's
As usual, Obama gives away key progressive concessions to the right wing without getting anything in return. If you think the right will now help Obama in any way on environmental or energy matters, you haven't been paying attention.
Obama used this same approach to get us a corporate wet-dream, near useless health care "reform" bill. Even then he got no Republican support. Same on the stimulus bill.
BillZBubb: As usual, Obama gives away key progressive concessions to the
I think this is more about politics than it is about energy policy. The same with Health Insurance reform.
The political victory of Health reform allows other programs to continue. Had Obama/Democrats lost on Insurance reform, they would have lost the bulk of their power.
By promoting offshore drilling, Obama removes a principal right wing talking point, and forces Republicans into a position where they will have to vote against offshore drilling when it is included in comprehensive energy reform legislation, or be seen as supporting Obama/Democrats. He has politically painted them into a corner.
I hope these projects never get past the planning stages.
FunkyP: I think this is more about politics than it is
Obama IS pro-conservation. Losing Van Jones previously of Green for All was a big blow. Could have used some support from the enviromentalist in helping to push back against the GOP's accusations leveled at Jones.
MizFlagPin: Obama IS pro-conservation. Losing Van Jones previously of Green for
completely,
no matter what it costs!
People need to stop behaving like Senator McCain--saying that, because things haven't gone exactly as expected, they are going to just take all their toys and go home. Obama's election didn't transform our country into a utopia. It has, however, given us an opportunity to move forward that we shouldn't let pass because we don't agree 100% with how he's trying to do it.
Realistic Choice: It is 99% guaranteed to happen next time a Republican is in office. I feel more confident that a Dem would take more care with the environmental impact than the other side.
TAKE BACK OUR UN CONTROLLED NATIONAL PARKS!!!
As a consequence, across the U.S.A., our parks and wilderness areas are slowly being closed to the public. Roads inside the parks are being grazed over. Mountain passes and hiking paths are being blockaded. "No fishing," "No hunting," "No trespassing" signs are being erected everywhere on public lands. Entrance fees are being jacked up 100%, even 500% higher, to keep American families out of their own lands.
The UN and its elitist masters don't want you on their property! And in case you do "trespass" and enter forbidden areas of these pristine UN lands, you might just be shot. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents and park personnel are now taught to love nature's Mother Earth and to despise and loathe human beings. They are being given firearms and instructed to use them. Meanwhile, foreign immigrants from India, China, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Russia and other nations are being recruited for this national park service police duty because, unlike U.S. nationals, non-English speaking foreigners will not hesitate to carry out orders and shoot American citizen= "intruders
http://www.tetrahedron.org/articles/new_world_order/Rockefeller_UN_National_Parks.html
-- Cree Indian Teaching
Would our nation be better off in ten years absent sell-out to the HC insurance industry, Big Pharma & bankers, & no comprehensive non-profit reform? The question is what Mr Obama’s track record has been, & whether he gives more consideration to campaign contributions that drive our shameful electoral process, or will he really work for true reform & environmental priorities? Too cynical?
Did he make secret deals with insurance, hospital, & pharmaceutical industries to maintain obscene profits & for-profit monopolies into the future?
Has he done anything to end the depraved slaughter of wolves in the Northern Rockies; the round-up of wild mustangs & burros in the west?
Has he worked to save, Grey Whales, big cats, bears, other endangered species?
Is he saving the Tongass rainforest from destruction – strip-mining?
Has he worked to save our oceans & bays from chemical & agricultural runoff? – fisheries stocks?
What we’ve seen is a political opportunist & manipulator, not dedicated reformer, or environmentalist! We’ve seen collusion with corporate profits, the super-rich & bankers in his appointments & policies – rhetoric to the contrary has been late.
When I see evidence of real “trade-offs†with corporate greed/destruction/usury & real conservation/species protections, & average people’s interests, I will re-appraise my disappointment & rising anger.
I would hope that conservation groups will not take a knee-jerk reaction to this by demanding that massive changes be made all at once, assume that alternatives are not a priority and demonize this POTUS for not doing so, as it becomes counter-productive to their cause. It's pointless to demand the, of course, good alternatives immediately if the changes will not be accepted en masse by the legislators OR the American people.
“Put motion sensor on street lights this alone will save barrels of oil in the millions.
Here is the run down on costs.
Approximate amount each city spends on street lighting in a year:
Four examples of waste in Small cities on the state of Alabama
• Florence: $590,000 There are 3,438 street lights in Florence
• Muscle Shoals: $372,000
• Tuscumbia: $185,000
• Sheffield: $207,000
Residential areas are restricted to 100-watt bulbs. Only in high-traffic areas, do lights have a higher wattage, between 250 and 400.
For residential streets, 175-watt mercury or 100-watt, high-pressure sodium lights are used. 400-watt, high-pressure sodium lights along major boulevards,20% light the rest is heat.
Metal Halide lamps are more efficient than their parent, the mercury vapor arc lamp. They can be as much as 50% efficient in turning electricity into light. The other 50% is given of as heat.
I say lets get motion sensors installed on those street lights, save a ton of money. Burn less carbon fuel. Reduce light pollution. Reduce…
And just HOW will THIS be done? The production of electric cars makes me laugh at the simpletons who laud them. Where do they think the electricity comes from? Most is generated by the burning of coal; probably the most dirty source of power generation. Things like wind generated power will never amount to even a slight fraction of our needs. The only viable solution is nuclear power but, unfortunately, many "progressives" have prevented its expansion at every opportunity.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/12/effects-chernobyl-uk-farmers 23 yrs later and UK farmers are still dealing with the aftermath-
We have fish developing tumors-
near the plant
Ask Ecuador about the oil companies-
Our plants are not protected- We need to have safe ways to create energy-Technology was around 30-50 yrs ago but stopped- Its time to move into the new era- and stop taking 30 steps backwards-
N
Assumes facts not in evidence.
Solar generators, which concentrate the suns' energy to heat boilers which powers generators.
Fuel Cells.
Natural Gas
Bio fuels (from algae etc)
Nuclear energy is more dangerous and more expensive than coal, and radiation lasts thousands of years. Even thorium reactors have problems.
And that's your solution?
It's garbage in, garbage out with this Congress and Administration. Same as its always been. If it's not a law that DOESN'T protect or enhance the wealth and power of corporate America, Wall Street, and the top 1% of wealthiest Americans, it's not getting proposed or being passed.
Any environmentalist who is cool with Obama's political ploy is downright pathetic.
You are correct. Rahmobama will strip the bill of anything meaningful in order to appease the Koch family and the oil industry. If this bill goes anything like health care did Rahmobama will have oil derricks on the White House lawn.
PadrePio: Sorry, but your comments are just ludicrous.
I hope this doesn't sound patronizing but your education in Political Science combined with your degree in Environmental Science seems to have served you well. I think those actually making long term progress do not see things so black and white and do in fact see the forest for the trees. I hope to see more people like yourself posting on HP on all sorts of issues.
See this announcement within context. It helps us get to a greener economy at a time when people will not magically forgo oil use. Grab what we can and live on to fight stronger later.
To quote Campaign Obama, "We can't drill our way out of this!"
Obama used this same approach to get us a corporate wet-dream, near useless health care "reform" bill. Even then he got no Republican support. Same on the stimulus bill.
The political victory of Health reform allows other programs to continue. Had Obama/Democrats lost on Insurance reform, they would have lost the bulk of their power.
By promoting offshore drilling, Obama removes a principal right wing talking point, and forces Republicans into a position where they will have to vote against offshore drilling when it is included in comprehensive energy reform legislation, or be seen as supporting Obama/Democrats. He has politically painted them into a corner.
I hope these projects never get past the planning stages.
I'm not saying I approve..