APNewsBreak: Feds approve new Gulf oil well off La

[kpete]

Source: Associated Press

APNewsBreak: Feds approve new Gulf oil well off La

By MIKE BAKER (AP) – 2 hours ago

Federal regulators approved Wednesday the first new Gulf of Mexico oil well since President Barack Obama lifted a brief ban on drilling in shallow water, even while deepwater projects remain frozen after the massive BP spill.

The Minerals Management Service granted a new drilling permit sought by Bandon Oil and Gas for a site about 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana and 115 feet below the ocean's surface. It's south of Rockefeller State Wildlife Refuge and Game Preserve, far to the west of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that triggered the BP spill.

Obama last week extended a moratorium on wells in deep water like the BP one that blew out a mile below the surface in April and is gushing millions of gallons of oil. But at the same time, the president quietly allowed a three-week-old ban on drilling in shallow water to expire.

"I'm outraged," said Kieran Suckling, executive director for the Tucson, Ariz.,-based Center for Biological Diversity, after a reporter told him of the new permit. "How is it that shallow water drilling suddenly became safe again?"

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jcI0TEoo-hT5zSHKJ_gRKRLknvCAD9G3A3Q02

[SusanaMontana41]

1. What?! Is this a f*cking JOKE?!

Looks like Salazar sure is doing a good job exterminating the roaches at MMS ... what is the MATTER with him?! And what's the matter with our president, letting a moratorium expire?!

This is NOT the change I voted for.

[IndianaGreen]

2. Psychotic energy policy of ours always favours the industry

at the Earth's expense.

[bobburgster]

3. Relax, they elbow does not know where the ass is...

in our govt. once they find it, the approval will be pulled.

[peaches2003]

5. What do you mean 'find it'?

It's on the national news so everyone knows. Obama had already lifted the temporary ban on shallow well drilling. And don't forget, LA had to approve all wells dug, so my sympathy for that state is lessened somewhat. They all are in the pocket of the oil companies.

[bobburgster]

8. By "find" it......

I mean they will reinstate the ban.

[peaches2003]

4. This will never end

I blame Obama, sorry. Salazar is a slimeball, but Obama has the final say on drilling. Our politicians will NEVER stop this if they won't stop it during a national emergency. He couldn't even have a temporary ban for now on any drilling? He's gutless or corrupt.

[SusanaMontana41]

7. Agree 100 percent.

I'd say "gutless" ... for now.

[obxhead]

6. Obama's position was clear before this spill

Drill, baby, drill.

Without even a mention of needing tighter regulation. In fact his claim was it's safe.

The admin and the industry are skipping down this road hand in hand, with money gushing out of their pockets as well.

It's never too early to discuss a serious primary bid against this 'change' we can not allow to continue.