GOP Reps Suddenly Concerned About Western Drilling, Coal Bed Methane

[hatrack]

DENVER — Western Republicans are starting to buck against oil and gas drilling on federal lands prized for their wildlife and recreational opportunities. mid a Western energy boom promoted by the Bush administration, Republican officeholders from Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico and California recently have called for bans on drilling and other development on large blocs of national forest lands in their states.

EDIT

Among recent events:

• Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., attached a measure to a Senate spending bill that would ban future oil and gas leasing on federal forest and rangeland along his state's Rocky Mountain Front, a 100-mile stretch of dramatic peaks and wildlife-rich canyons. Burns, who faces a stiff re-election challenge this fall, had previously opposed proposals for a federal buyout of existing leases.

• California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger petitioned the federal government to permanently protect 4.4 million acres of national forest in his state from road-building and other development.

• In New Mexico, GOP Rep. Heather Wilson recently decided to co-sponsor legislation that would block federal plans to drill for natural gas in the Valle Vidal, home to one of New Mexico's largest elk herds.

• Wyoming GOP Sen. Craig Thomas said in an interview that most national forest areas should be off-limits to drilling "because they're part of our tradition, part of our future."

Mark Rey, the Bush administration's undersecretary of Agriculture who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, says the recent objections do not represent a Western revolt against drilling, but rather a general concern that "development is done sensitively and well."

EDIT

On July 10, an Interior Department review board temporarily blocked the first lease sale in response to an appeal by environmentalists and sportsmen groups.

EDIT/END

Amazing what an election year will do, as all the little pigges go to the green paint store.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-07-20-western-drilling_x.htm

[acmejack]

1. NIMBY

[KingFlorez]

2. The West is becoming bluer

Just like the South became Republican, the West is slowly transition Democratic, so they are trying to protect themselves. This is where Democrats could pick up a lot of votes.

[Ian David]

3. If they voted to drill ANWAR, then I say drill in THEIR states...

as close to their own, private residence as we can get.

[Ganja Ninja]

4. Hey no problem guys.

I'm sure all you have to do is tell Dick Cheney you'd rather not drill for gas and oil in your national parks and he'll stop. After all this is an administration that listens to people and cares about their concerns.
:sarcasm:

[rox63]

5. I'm sure they've been hearing from their constituents

who enjoy hunting, fishing and camping in these areas, and they son't want them to be spoiled.