Newt Gingrich Sez It's All Just Bad Policies And Evil Gov Keeping Us From Drilling, Baby, Drilling!

[hatrack]

:puke:

EDIT

Let's be clear: our energy crisis is not due to a lack of American energy resources. We have more coal than any other country in the world. There are 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas lying undeveloped offshore. Shale-oil reservoirs in parts of Colorado and Utah could hold upwards of 1 trillion barrels of oil—more than three times the proven reserves in Saudi Arabia. Nuclear power is a clean source of energy that produces zero carbon emissions. It generates 20 percent of America's electric power today, and with the right investment could generate far more.

Instead, America is suffering from an artificial energy crisis, one that is the product of our government's policies, not despite them. For example, until September 2008, Congress had made it illegal to drill for oil and natural gas in most areas off our coasts. Congress still forbids the development of the vast shale-oil reserves in the Rocky Mountains even though there are promising technologies that could make extracting oil from shale economically competitive. In addition, laws passed in the 1970s banning the recycling of spent nuclear fuel forced nuclear-power plants to invest in techniques to dispose of the fuel; the long-running feud over where to store the spent fuel has helped prevent the construction of more plants.

And now, in 2009, instead of making energy cheaper—which would help create jobs and save Americans money—President Obama wants to impose a cap-and-trade regime. Such a plan would have the effect of an across-the-board energy tax on every American. That will make our artificial energy crisis even worse—and raising taxes during a deep economic recession will only accelerate American job losses.

The Obama administration's own budget director is on record predicting an increase of about $1,300 in the price of energy for the average American from this type of energy tax. As a candidate, Obama himself recognized the pain this would cause every American: "Under my plan … electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket."

EDIT

http://www.newsweek.com/id/192480

[muntrv]

1. Newt, we use at least 10 million barrels per day, so one trillion is not forever.

But facts don't get in the way of the newtered one.

[MADem]

2. He knows all about "drilling"--he was a pro when he was the Spee-kah....ask Calista about that.

They also know a lot about carrot waxing, but I wouldn't put him or her in charge of the Food and Drug Administration, either.

[rfranklin]

3. Of course, we won't have any water to drink after...

they use it to extract al that shale oil. You can live without oil but you can't live without water.

[Double T]

4. Newt is a washed-up rethug loser that is so self-centered he thinks he is still relevant.

Newt should climb back into his conservative A-hole.

[opihimoimoi]

5. The man is so Ignorant its embarrassing.....he is a typ Pub Bandaider

[underpants]

6. Then explain to me why the energy producers are diversifying and dominating wind and solar

someone please explain that to me

They are in the ENERGY business not just the oil or natural gas or coal industry. THEY have the capital to lay down for the initial costs of establishing solar and wind farms so why don't they?

Back in the early 90's Anheiser-Busch and Miller bought up all kinds of microbrews. They didn't shut them down they let them continue what they were clearly good at and what they clearly had a real interest in doing. Both just got a reasonable return on investment (ROI) and let them continue. Why? because they knew that they weren't in the Budweiser or Miller Lite business they were in the BEER business.

Geeesus!!

[ladym55]

7. Can anyone explain to me WHY Newt is anywhere on a public stage?

:shrug:

M$M should realize that Newt is SO yesterday, make that last week, no ... last year ... how about last decade? He was an IDIOT in the 1990s. Age has not given him wisdom, so let's take away his public forum and let him go back to obscurity.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. Well, I guess we know who's paying Newt's campaign bills

Nowhere does Mr. Gingrich discuss climate change. The word pollution does not appear in this piece. Peak oil? What's that?

If we want the air in American cities as toxic as that in Beijing, this is the plan to follow. Of course, that is not the only thing wrong with Mr. Gingrich's plan. His premise, that the energy crisis is artificial, is patently false. We have for decades been using energy at a greater rate than it can be produced. It is interesting that all of the "bad policies" are aimed at abating pollution or encouraging conservation. Meanwhile, he touts "clean coal" technology as a solution.

If Mr. Gingrich wants to propose clean coal technology as a solution to the energy crisis, perhaps he will, in the same vain, propose that the federal government get tooth fairies to bailout Wall Street at no further expense to the taxpayer. It makes about as much sense.

Mr. Gingrich's piece is simply a denial of reality. These are fantasy-based solutions based not on a hard assessment of the problem, but just a scheme to make fossil fuel barons richer by putting their industry on life support the way only a Republican administration can do.

Don't call us, Newt. We'll call you.

[PSPS]

9. Newt must be right about clean coal. I see ads promoting it all over DU!!!11!1