California Conservative

Whenever I want the clearest picture of the Democrats’ non-energy energy bills, I head straight to the Institute for Energy Research. Wanting to put forward the best explanation on why the bill pushed through by Pelosi’s Democrats, I visited this webpage. I’m glad I found it. Here’s what I found:

The bill permanently bans and development within 50 miles of shore. [Sec. 102]

The vast majority of undiscovered oil and gas reserves are projected to be between the coast and 50 miles offshore.

Here’s another noteworthy point made:

Fails to open new, energy rich areas for exploration and development in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. These areas in the Gulf could start producing oil and gas very quickly because they are close to existing infrastructure.

If the Democrats were serious about providing instant price relief, lifting the ban on drilling here should’ve been their highest priority. This proves that providing quick price relief isn’t the Democrats’ highest priority. That begs this question:

If prices at the pump are crippling families’ budgets and high heating bills only 2 months, if that, off, and with high prices at the pump crippling the economy, shouldn’t providing price relief be the Democratic majority’s top priority? Apparently, this legislation is proof that it’s barely a blip on the Democrats’ radar. (more…)

I’m a proud contributor to the NRCC. I’m a proud contributor to the NRCC because the House Republicans have fought the good fight against the dictatorial anti-drilling rule of Speaker Pelosi. Despite the Democrats’ latest anti-drilling legislation, John Boehner and the House GOP Caucus aren’t leaving the battlefield. Here’s Leader Boehner’s latest press release on the subject:

Prior to today’s debate on the No Child Left Inside Act (H.R. 3036), House Republicans will move to force a debate and vote on legislation to keep the number issue on the minds of the American people, high energy costs, on the radar of this Democratic Congress. The measure, sponsored by House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), would put Democrats on notice that Congress should not adjourn until a real, comprehensive energy reform bill is enacted into law.

Two days ago, the Democratic Majority passed a sham bill they claim would increase American energy production and lower gas prices, but in reality, it was designed to provide political cover for vulnerable Democrats who have promised their constituents they would support pro-energy legislation. An editorial in this morning’s Charleston Daily Mail slammed the bogus “no energy” bill: (more…)

Last week, Speaker Pelosi sent Steny Hoyer out to wave the white flag of defeat on energy. Or so we thought. This is what Hoyer said then:

“[Republicans] will have the opportunity to offer their alternative, yes,” Hoyer said in response to a question about how the energy bill will be introduced. “We understand that their motion to recommit will be their Republican alternative.”

Rep. Hoyer’s words no longer apply. Ms. Pelosi has reverted back to her tyrannical behavior. The Democrats’ new ‘Drilling Bill’ is being brought up under a closed rule again:

Late last night, the Democrat Rules Committee decided to allow debate on ZERO amendments to the Democrats’ new energy gimmick bill. It is a closed bill, so no amendments can be offered, and no compromise can be reached. They made this decision over Republican objections, in the dead of night, and less than 12 hours before the House would begin consideration of the bill.

That’s a complete turnaround from their original promise. Democrats have just just told America that their word is worthless. Their credibility, which was already circling the drain, just dropped lower. It’s almost vanished.

Here are 3 definitions of corruption:

• perversion of integrity.
• corrupt or dishonest proceedings.
• debasement or alteration, as of language or a text

I’d say each definition fits what the House Democratic leadership promised a week earlier. Minority Leader John Boehner isn’t taking this lightly: (more…)

1:59– I just got connected to the GOP blogger conference call hosted by House Republican Conference Chairman Adam Putnam. We’re scheduled to start momentarily.
2:05– Adam Putnam is starting to lay out “what might or might not be” in the Democrats’ bill. Reop. Putnam said that the House GOP changed the entire debate.
2:07– “They’re [Democrats] taking a victory lap” but they know that “responsible governors” won’t opt in because there isn’t a financial incentive for them to do so. Rep. Putnam says that they know drilling won’t happen because of that.
2:10– “Ironically, Democrats have submitted a drilling only bill.” Rep. Putnam then adds that “they fund their bill with $85 billion in tax hikes.”
2:12– “Renewable electricity standards will cause price spikes.”
2:13– ” Democrats should hold an open & fair debate.”
2:14– Stan from Conservatives With Attitude asks why Republicans didn’t do more whan thay had the majority. Rep. Putnam is pointing out all that got passed.
2:16– Brian Faughnan from Redstate is worried about Gang of “10 or 16 or 20 or whatever it is.” Rep. Putnam says that that is a concern. Rep. Putnam then says that the House GOP leadership has been in contact with the Senate GOP leadership on this. Most importantly, Rep. Putnam says that the group hasn’t “put legislation forward, just talking points.” Rep. Putnam is skeptical of their ability to put it together with this little time but they’re keeping their eyes open on this.
2:20– I ask about whether the House GOP would offer an amendment that gives Virginia, Louisiana and other states a financial incentive in opting in. Rep. Putnam said that the GOP hasn’t settled on a specific strategy yet but, depending on what’s in the bill, they’d likely take that opportunity. As a followup, I asked “Shouldn’t the benchmark be about what’s done, not what’s talked about?” Rep. Putnam’s response: “That’s a great way to frame it. Yes, that should be what we demand.”

Technorati Tags: Adam Putnam, House GOP, House Oil Party, Drilling, Gang Of 10, Gang Of 16, Environmentalists, Amendments

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

Yesterday, I posted something about Sen. Kerry’s idiotic statement that Sarah Palin was just another Dick Cheney. A half hour after I first read that, I finally got my laughter under control. Simply put, Sen. Kerry needs to be forced into retirement. That’s where Jeff Beatty comes in. Mr. Beatty is running against Sen. Kerry. He’s mounting a serious challenge, too. I suspect that Massachusetts voters are taking him seriously because of Mr. Beatty’s position on America’s energy independence:

Energy Plan
We must control our own destiny, our own future. The world is a volatile place and we cannot rely on foreign suppliers of energy. We must become more self reliant. With that in mind Jeff will push to bring online more sources of energy, not just for tomorrow, but for the next 20 or more years it will take to bridge the gap to advanced Hydrogen Cars and other new technologies.

Oil. We must access the oil we have by increased drilling. That includes Oil Shale, ANWR and Offshore. Strategically, we need to increase our refining capacity.

Clean Coal. This resource can carry a large part of the electrical generation needs and we must continue to use it extensively.

Natural Gas. In addition to power generation, as an interim measure, Natural Gas can be also used as fuel for our Cars. It is a resource we are rich in.

Nuclear. We must increase Nuclear Power use. Not only can we use it here but it is an outstanding potential export. Land based US Technology Nuclear Plants need to be exported to help reduce worldwide demand for oil. Nuclear Power Barges (like the Army’s Sturgis) show how we can create, sell and deploy Nuclear Power while still maintaining control of the technology. (more…)

Foxnews.com has just posted the transcript of Sen. Obama’s acceptance speech. Now’s the time to dissect it and find out how often his rhetoric didn’t match reality. Here’s the first instance where rhetoric didn’t match reality:

Tonight, more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and even more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can’t afford to drive, credit cards, bills you can’t afford to pay, and tuition that’s beyond your reach.

I can’t argue that many have lost their homes. I can’t argue that home prices are dropping. But saying that “more Americans are out of work” doesn’t match the fact that we’ve had very low unemployment. It’s also worth noting that the reason why people “have cars [they] can’t afford to drive” is because the Democrat majorities in the House and Senate have obstructed legislation that would’ve increased domestic energy production.

If we want change, I’d suggest that we change the party that’s in charge of Capitol Hill.

Here’s one of the most intellectually dishonest statements I’ve ever heard in a political speech:

Now, I don’t believe that Senator McCain doesn’t care what’s going on in the lives of Americans; I just think he doesn’t know.

Sen. Obama doesn’t think that. It’s one of most despicable cheapshots I’ve ever heard, much less in an acceptance speech. While we’re on the subject of who gets it and who doesn’t, let’s explore that a bit.

When Russia invaded Georgia, Sen. Obama called for the Russians, who invaded a sovereign nation, and the Georgians, who were killed en masse, to both act with restraint. Sen. McCain called it a Russian invasion right from the start. Most serious foreign policy experts said it’s Sen. Obama that didn’t have a clue.

Sen. Obama said again tonight that he’d negotiate directly with Iran: (more…)

Minority Leader John Boehner took Speaker Pelosi to task for her statement on Meet the Press about supporting natural gas production. Here’s Boehner’s official statement:

Hypocrisy Alert: Speaker Pelosi Votes Against More Natural Gas, Then Claims She Supports It
Speaker Pelosi Has Fought Every GOP Effort to Open Up Offshore Drilling to Produce More Natural Gas Supplies

Washington, Aug 25 - Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) adjourned Congress for a five-week break without a meaningful vote on gas prices and still wouldn’t commit to giving the American people the vote they want on NBC’s Meet the Press over the weekend. Today House Republicans are continuing their nationwide gas prices protest for the 17th consecutive day to highlight GOP efforts to lower gas prices through our “all of the above” plan to lower gasoline prices by increasing America’s energy supplies, promoting more conservation and efficiency, and encouraging the use of more alternative and renewable fuels.

Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats like to claim they support an “all of the above” approach, they like to claim they support drilling, and they like to claim they support natural gas. But their rhetoric doesn’t match their actions or their voting record. Over the weekend, Speaker Pelosi made quite a claim on NBC’s Meet the Press, attempting to justify her investment in T. Boone Pickens’ Clean Energy Fuels Corp., which markets compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas, by saying natural gas is “something I believe in” as a “clean, cheap alternative to fossil fuel.” But as the Wall Street Journal’s Washington Wire blog pointed out, natural gas is a
fossil fuel: (more…)

Well, this explains everything…

A sex hormone was detected in San Francisco’s drinking water.

Gives a new meaning to tap water.

It appears as though Speaker Pelosi daydreamed her way through Earth Science in College. If she hadn’t she would’ve known that natural gas is a fossil fuel, albeit a clean fossil fuel. The WSJ’s Washington Wire chronicles her bungling that on national TV:

On NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, the speaker twice seemed to suggest that natural gas, an energy source she favors, is not a fossil fuel. “I believe in natural gas as a clean, cheap alternative to fossil fuels,” she said at one point. Natural gas “is cheap, abundant and clean compared to fossil fuels,” she said at another.

Not only is natural gas a fossil fuel, it’s also found in large quantities on the OCS and in ANWR. Ms. Pelosi’s stupidity is what initially got her in this mess. Pride’s what’s keeping her in that PR prison.

Ms. Pelosi must realize just how badly she’s stepped in it because one of her spokespeople, Brendan Daly, already sent the WSJ an explanation. Here’s what the WSJ quotes him as saying:

“She knows it [natural gas] is a fossil fuel but includes it because compared to other fossil fuels (coal and oil) it burns more cleanly,” said Pelosi’s spokesman, Brendan Daly. “Also, it is plentiful domestically and cheaper.”

(more…)

This is the Sierra Club’s official statement praising Ms. Pelosi’s latest non-energy energy plan. This statement leaves no doubt what Ms. Pelosi’s goal is in offering another version of the DRILL Act.

Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director

“No one is more committed to clean energy solutions than Nancy Pelosi.

“The upcoming debate in Congress will allow the truth to come out, that offshore drilling won’t lower gas prices today, tomorrow, or a even a decade from now and will simply benefit Big Oil’s bottom line instead of helping hardworking Americans.

“The new legislation that Speaker Pelosi has outlined includes crucial clean energy solutions and other important measures that will make America more energy independent, offer consumers relief at the pump, and will force drilling supporters to admit whether they really want to move America forward or simply want to continue helping the oil companies.”

Mr. Pope’s language is clear: he thinks that drilling is bad for the environment and that it won’t help “hardworking Americans.” Mr. Pope, along with the Sierra Club, is certain that drilling won’t lower prices at the pump.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Gary Pecquet and Morris Coats know better. So does the Energy Journal. So does the average American consumer. (more…)