It's about time someone revisited this

A plan introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Ross [D-Arkansas] to encourage alternative and renewable energy relies on oil drilling in Arctic wildlife lands and the Gulf of Mexico to meet its goals.

Ross’ bill, the “American-Made Energy Act of 2008,” also would create tax credits to build new nuclear power plants throughout the United States, with an aim of having 40 percent of the nation's power come from nuclear sources.

Ross, a leader of a group of fiscally conservative Democrats known as the Blue Dog Coalition, is a co-sponsor on the bill with Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif.  Ross told reporters on a conference call Thursday that technology would allow companies to drill for oil without endangering the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alaska. - “Ross bill calls for energy ‘independence’ on back of oil drilling” by Jon Gambrell

It’s unfortunate that Democrats invariably want to micromanage:  According to the article,^[1] the bill includes taxes on the produced oil, accompanied by a bunch of “behaviour modification” tax credits

...to fight global warming, encourage renewable energy operations and help consumers buy plug-in electric and flex-fuel cars.

Oh yes, and

...subsidies to encourage liquid fuel production of [from?] coal.^[2]

Still, it’s always fun when somebody maneuvers the environmentalist Luddites in Congress into a put-up-or-shut-up position. Back in 2005, the Congressional Democrat + R.I.N.O. coalition defeated a bill that would have expanded drilling in Alaska.  With gasoline above $3 and diesel hovering in the $3.25 region, will they dare to do it again?

AFTERTHOUGHT:  Where's George?

Elsewhere:

Via: IP

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^[1] The complete text of the bill is not available yet.
^[2] Arkansas has a bunch of unexploited coal.  Surprise!

Posted by: Old Grouch in In Passing at 16:47:00 GMT | No Comments | Add Comment
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