Kempthorne "Eager" To Expand Drilling On Public Lands - ENN

[hatrack]

EDIT

The two-term Idaho governor and former Republican senator was confirmed by the Senate late last month on a voice vote.

Kempthorne told senators he was eager to expand oil and gas development on public lands and waters that already produce 30 percent of the nation's domestic supply of energy.

Eight Democratic senators, including Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, registered their opposition. Nelson opposes the Bush administration's proposed lease sale of 3.6 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico off the Alabama and Florida coasts.

Bush said Kempthorne would pursue energy development that would treat the environment responsibly. "As we work to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy, he will make sure that any exploration on federal lands and federal waters is done in an environmentally sensitive way," Bush said.

EDIT

http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=10631

Blahblahblahblahbullshitbullshitbullshitbullshitblahblahblahblah.