Oil executives urge Congress to expand offshore drilling; coastal states wary

[babylonsister]

They have no shame, do they. Sure, they're really invested in improving the economy and increasing jobs. :eyes:

Oil chiefs urge offshore drilling

Oil executives urge Congress to expand offshore drilling; coastal states wary

H. JOSEF HEBERT
AP News

Feb 25, 2009 13:28 EST


Executives of the biggest oil companies sought to convince lawmakers Wednesday that expanded offshore drilling will produce jobs and help the nation's economy, although new leases in areas that have been off limits would not be issued for years.

"We can help put America on the road to economic recovery," said Larry Nichols, chairman of Devon Energy Corp., as the executives testified before the House Natural Resources Committee.

Marvin Odum, president of Shell Oil Co., warned against being "lulled again into complacency" because of low oil prices. He said access to oil and natural gas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts will help meet future energy challenges.

"Producing more of our offshore energy will create jobs and fuel economic recovery," said Odum. An executive from ExxonMobil Corp., estimated 76,000 jobs would be created from new drilling in areas that until recently have been under a congressional drilling ban.

snip//

But the companies also stand to make billions of dollars from expanded offshore oil and gas development. ExxonMobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., which also was represented at the hearing, combined made $69 billion last year.

more...

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2009/02/oil_chiefs_urge_offshore_drilling.php

[tosh]

1. I hoped this was a joke, but no.

[billybob537]

2. No really you can trust us now

We want to help .
BLAH BLAH BLAH.

[sutz12]

3. I'm sure they are invested in improving their economy.

:)

Have they resolved the 10k permits/60 million acres thing yet? I say fuck 'em. Put the money into green technologies. Hopefully, in 10 years the only thing they'll be using crude oil for is plastics manufatcturing, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Well, maybe 20 years. ;)

[babylonsister]

5. Not plastic. That can now be made out of plants.

Probably needs a bit more tweaking.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2008-12-25-biodegradable-plastic_N.htm

Biodegradable plastic made from plants, not oil, is emerging

:thumbsup:

[L0oniX]

4. How about we drill for oil on the oil corporations CEO's front lawns?

[crimsonblue]

6. President Obama needs to get on TV and say to Big Oil:

"Shut the fuck up. You're stupid and lying about the benefits increased oil exploration. You aren't getting new leases. Deal with it, asshats. You have two options: Develop viable alternative fuels, or go fuck yourselves."


Sigh... I guess a guy can wish. :P