Bush to Congress: Lift Offshore Drilling Ban

Also, open Alaska refuge to oil companies

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 18, 2008 11:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – Bush formally asked Congress today to allow drilling for oil in the deep water off America's coasts, as well as repeating his demand that Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge be opened for drilling, CNN reports. "In the short run, the American economy will continue to rely largely on oil, and that means we need to increase supply here at home," Bush said.

President Bush pauses during a statement on energy, Wednesday, June 18, 2008, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

In this March 28, 2006 file photo, the Discoverer Deep Seas drillship sits on station off the coast of Louisiana as Chevron drills for oil in the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, left, looks on as President Bush makes a statement on energy, Wednesday, June 18, 2008, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Save the Earth: Drill in the US

Letting other countries produce oil cures nothing: Krauthammer

(NEWSER) - Asked why she so vehemently opposes offshore drilling, Nancy Pelosi recently replied, “I’m trying to save the planet.” Which is a nice thought, Charles Krauthammer writes in the Washington Post, but it’s completely illogical. We’re not saving the planet by leaving the drilling to the likes of Nigeria, where corruption and neglect routinely lead to spills, pipeline explosions, and illegal siphoning. More»

Chavez: US Confrontation 'Inevitable'

But Venezuelan leader receives steadying advice from Castro

(NEWSER) - With the US distracted by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been busy amassing a Latin American power bloc to blunt Washington’s influence. But the firebrand leader, who calls President Bush “the devil” and the US “the empire,” is receiving level-headed advice from none other than Fidel Castro, writes Jon Lee Anderson in a New Yorker profile. More»

Oil-Addicted Bush Must Kick the Habit

High fuel prices offer chance to change our ways

(NEWSER) - The American thirst for oil is like a drug addiction, and George Bush wants another hit, writes Thomas Friedman in the New York Times. Bush’s irresponsible energy plan involves getting a little more oil from Saudi Arabia to keep prices low, and then drilling in Alaska—simply prolonging our addiction instead of allowing high fuel prices to push us toward better sources of energy, adds Friedman. More»

When Good Pandering Goes Bad

Bush goes and ruins McCain's opportunism on oil, writes Collins

(NEWSER) - The offshore drilling ban has been in place since 1981, but George W. Bush—who is still the president, Gail Collins reminds us in the New York Times—wants it overturned in two weeks. Watching his speech in the Rose Garden, where he said Democrats would be to blame for high gas prices if drilling in heretofore verboten places was not immediately authorized, the columnist wonders why the president waited until now to call the Dems' bluff, and how unfortunate it is for John McCain. More»

Bush to Push Congress for Offshore Drilling

Like McCain, he says it's time to end the ban

(AP) - President Bush plans to make a renewed push tomorrow to get Congress to end a long-standing ban on offshore oil and gas drilling. Democrats have opposed the move for years, but rising gas prices are ratcheting up pressure to find domestic solutions. "The president believes Congress shouldn't waste any more time," said spokeswoman Dana Perino. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Bush to Congress: Lift Offshore Drilling Ban

Also, open Alaska refuge to oil companies

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

oil • Arctic oil • George W. Bush • Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Save the Earth: Drill in the US

Letting other countries produce oil cures nothing: Krauthammer

Chavez: US Confrontation 'Inevitable'

But Venezuelan leader receives steadying advice from Castro

Oil-Addicted Bush Must Kick the Habit

High fuel prices offer chance to change our ways

When Good Pandering Goes Bad

Bush goes and ruins McCain's opportunism on oil, writes Collins

Bush to Push Congress for Offshore Drilling

Like McCain, he says it's time to end the ban

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Bush to Congress: Lift Offshore Drilling Ban

Also, open Alaska refuge to oil companies

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

oil • Arctic oil • George W. Bush • Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Save the Earth: Drill in the US

Letting other countries produce oil cures nothing: Krauthammer

Chavez: US Confrontation 'Inevitable'

But Venezuelan leader receives steadying advice from Castro

Oil-Addicted Bush Must Kick the Habit

High fuel prices offer chance to change our ways

When Good Pandering Goes Bad

Bush goes and ruins McCain's opportunism on oil, writes Collins

Bush to Push Congress for Offshore Drilling

Like McCain, he says it's time to end the ban

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?