New Drilling Method Opens Vast U.S. Oil Fields
February 10, 2011
A new drilling technique is opening up vast fields of previously out-of-reach oil in the western United States, helping reverse a two-decade decline in domestic production of crude.
Companies are investing billions of dollars to get at oil deposits scattered across North Dakota, Colorado, Texas and California. By 2015, oil executives and analysts say, the new fields could yield as much as 2 million barrels of oil a day — more than the entire Gulf of Mexico produces now.
Within five years, analysts and executives predict, the newly unlocked fields are expected to produce 1 million to 2 million barrels of oil per day, enough to boost U.S. production 20 percent to 40 percent. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates production will grow a more modest 500,000 barrels per day.
By 2020, oil imports could be slashed by as much as 60 percent, according to Credit Suisse’s Morse, who is counting on Gulf oil production to rise and on U.S. gasoline demand to fall.
At today’s oil prices of roughly $90 per barrel, slashing imports that much would save the U.S. $175 billion a year. Last year, when oil averaged $78 per barrel, the U.S. sent $260 billion overseas for crude, accounting for nearly half the country’s $500 billion trade deficit.
THIS ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO BYPASS CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION. AND HAVE THE ULTIMATE EXECUTIVE (PRESIDENT) BE THE FINAL LAW MAKER. THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT UNDER THE EXECUTIVE CONTROL HAS NO POWER TO EFFECTIVELY CHANGE LEGISLATION OUTSIDE OF CONGRESS. THIS IS OUTRIGHT UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
THE ENERGY DEPT IS TO FACILITATE/REPORT ITS USE OF ENERGY AND REPORT ITS SAFE GUARD, NOT TO HINDER THE CREATION OF IT OR MAKE LAWS.
THIS HAS BEEN THE POWER STRUGGLE IN THIS ADMINISTRATION. CONGRESS NEEDS TO PUT THESE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BACK IN IT'S PLACE. AND TRULLY PROCLAIM THAT CONGRESS ALONE AS APPOINTEDS BY THE PEOPLE CAN MAKE LAWS. THESE GOV. AGENCIES ARE NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PEOPLE AND CERTAINLY HAVE NOT BEEN APPOINTED BY THEM. IF IT WAS SO THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN BOOTED OUT LONG AGO ALREADY.
BUT INSTEAD THEY ACT OUTSIDE THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE AND DON"T DEBATE THE ACTION THEY INACT.
Mr. Hastings, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, says the administration "has zero authority to withdraw the [Yucca Mountain] license application."
They argue that a 1982 law prohibits the administration from abandoning the Yucca Mountain project, which Congress designated as the nation's first nuclear-waste repository.
The Energy Department moved to terminate Yucca Mountain in March 2010 when it asked the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to withdraw a two-year-old application to build a repository. Calling Yucca Mountain "not a workable option," the Energy Department said the science on nuclear-waste storage had evolved since the project was first proposed.
A few months later, in June, a quasi-independent NRC panel dealt a blow to the administration and denied its request, saying the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act "does not give the secretary the discretion to substitute his policy for the one established by Congress."
Mr. Hastings and other lawmakers say Mr. Jaczko and the NRC lack the authority to suspend a safety review of Yucca Mountain. Mr. Jaczko halted this review last year.
An NRC spokesman defended the chairman's decision. "It is the chairman's responsibility and authority to ensure that agency resources are used properly. He acted properly, and not unilaterally, after consulting with the chief financial officer, the executive director for operations, and the general counsel."
None of NRC commissioners has disclosed their votes on Yucca Mountain, so it's unclear how many would support or oppose the project.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704680604576110343474332036.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/LegislativeData.php?&n=BSS&c=111
HERES A COUPLE OF LEGISLATION ON ENERGY CONGRESS NEEDS TO DEBATE:
HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE BILLS:
Bill Summary & Status
111th Congress (2009 - 2010)
H.R.2300
H.R.2300
Latest Title: American Energy Innovation Act
Sponsor: Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] (introduced 5/7/2009)
Bill Summary & Status
111th Congress (2009 - 2010)
H.R.2250
H.R.2250
Latest Title: Energy Independence Now Act of 2009
Sponsor: Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] (introduced 5/5/2009) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2009 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.
SENATE BILLS
There are also two bills pending in the Senate, S.503 and S.570, that call for opening up the 10-02 Area.
Bill Summary & Status
111th Congress (2009 - 2010)
S.503
S.503
Latest Title: No Surface Occupancy Western Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act
Sponsor: Sen Murkowski, Lisa [AK] (introduced 2/27/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Latest Major Action: 2/27/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Bill Summary & Status
111th Congress (2009 - 2010)
S.570
S.570
Latest Title: No Cost Stimulus Act of 2009
Sponsor: Sen Vitter, David [LA] (introduced 3/11/2009) Cosponsors (18)
Related Bills: H.R.1431
Latest Major Action: 3/12/2009 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 31.
THE MAIN SOURCE OF ENERGY THAT CAN PROVIDE FOR JOBS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE BEING DRAINED AWAY FROM EXISTENCE THANKS TO THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT SOUND POLICY WHEN ITS THE DELIBERATE ACTS OF DESTRUCTION OF THIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC WELFARE. THE 111TH CONGRESS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THIS TOO FOR THEIR OWN INACTION.
1. In October 2010, former Reid advisor and current NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko ordered a stop to all Yucca-related NRC activities. He argued that his authority to close out the Yucca program was derived from President Obama’s 2011 budget request. The problem is that neither the House nor the Senate passed that proposed budget. Further, the order ignores the fact that the NRC’s own Atomic Licensing and Safety Board agreed unanimously that the DOE lacked authority to withdraw the application. The chairman’s actions were so unusual and contentious that fellow NRC commissioners were compelled to publicly denounce the decision.
THE VERY ACT OF USURPING CONGRESSIONAL POWERS IN AN OUTWARD DISPLAY OF DISRESPECT OF LAWS IS AT THE HEART OF THIS GRIEVOUS ACT.
The Obama Administration’s anti-Yucca policy destroyed this progress. It ignored existing statute, such as the NWPA and the Yucca Mountain Development Act of 2002, which state clearly that Yucca Mountain shall be the location of the nation’s nuclear materials repository. It unilaterally requested the withdrawal of the DOE’s permit application for Yucca to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Questions over the legality of this policy are currently under review by the courts.
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/12/yucca-mountain-and-nuclear-waste-policy-a-new-beginning
2. The oil industry has much to contribute to America’s energy needs — particularly in light of rising gas prices. The American Petroleum Institute, in its “State of American Energy” report, estimated the industry supports more than $1 trillion in annual contributions to the U.S. economy. Creating additional access to areas currently closed to development would lead to even more domestic production, new jobs and billions in government revenue.
The American people deserve better. With energy needs on the rise — and gas prices inching higher — now is a time for solutions. The first step is putting an end to the Obama administration’s anti-drilling policy in the Gulf of Mexico. Just two new deep-water permits have been issued since the politically motivated moratorium ended three months ago. That’s down 88 percent from the historical average. Shallow-water permits, which weren’t even subjected to the moratorium, are down 11 percent.
Ongoing delays in the Gulf of Mexico are only part of the problem, however. Offshore drilling bans currently prevent exploration in about 85% of our coastal waters. Those bans are crippling job creation and making America more reliant on foreign sources of oil.
http://blog.heritage.org/2011/01/11/morning-bell-obamas-anti-drilling-agenda/
THE ADMINISTRATION FOOT DRAGGING IN PROVIDING LEASES CREATES UNCERTAINTY IN THE MARKET ALREADY SHOWING MOVEMENT TOWARD PRICE INCREASES of $100 a barrel. FOREIGN OIL SOURCES WILL NOT HELP TO LOWER THIS PRICE.
BHO ADMINISTRATIONS ANSWER TO ENERGY IS TO TRIPLE ENERGY BILLS IN THE MIDWEST.
THE MAIN SOURCE OF ENERGY THAT CAN PROVIDE FOR JOBS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE BEING DRAINED AWAY FROM EXISTENCE THANKS TO THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT SOUND POLICY WHEN ITS THE DELIBERATE ACTS OF DESTRUCTION OF THIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC WELFARE. THE 111TH CONGRESS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THIS TOO FOR THEIR OWN INACTION.
1. In October 2010, former Reid advisor and current NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko ordered a stop to all Yucca-related NRC activities. He argued that his authority to close out the Yucca program was derived from President Obama’s 2011 budget request. The problem is that neither the House nor the Senate passed that proposed budget. Further, the order ignores the fact that the NRC’s own Atomic Licensing and Safety Board agreed unanimously that the DOE lacked authority to withdraw the application. The chairman’s actions were so unusual and contentious that fellow NRC commissioners were compelled to publicly denounce the decision.
THE VERY ACT OF USURPING CONGRESSIONAL POWERS IN AN OUTWARD DISPLAY OF DISRESPECT OF LAWS IS AT THE HEART OF THIS GRIEVOUS ACT.
The Obama Administration’s anti-Yucca policy destroyed this progress. It ignored existing statute, such as the NWPA and the Yucca Mountain Development Act of 2002, which state clearly that Yucca Mountain shall be the location of the nation’s nuclear materials repository. It unilaterally requested the withdrawal of the DOE’s permit application for Yucca to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Questions over the legality of this policy are currently under review by the courts.
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/12/yucca-mountain-and-nuclear-waste-policy-a-new-beginning
2. The oil industry has much to contribute to America’s energy needs — particularly in light of rising gas prices. The American Petroleum Institute, in its “State of American Energy” report, estimated the industry supports more than $1 trillion in annual contributions to the U.S. economy. Creating additional access to areas currently closed to development would lead to even more domestic production, new jobs and billions in government revenue.
The American people deserve better. With energy needs on the rise — and gas prices inching higher — now is a time for solutions. The first step is putting an end to the Obama administration’s anti-drilling policy in the Gulf of Mexico. Just two new deep-water permits have been issued since the politically motivated moratorium ended three months ago. That’s down 88 percent from the historical average. Shallow-water permits, which weren’t even subjected to the moratorium, are down 11 percent.
Ongoing delays in the Gulf of Mexico are only part of the problem, however. Offshore drilling bans currently prevent exploration in about 85% of our coastal waters. Those bans are crippling job creation and making America more reliant on foreign sources of oil.
http://blog.heritage.org/2011/01/11/morning-bell-obamas-anti-drilling-agenda/
THE ADMINISTRATION FOOT DRAGGING IN PROVIDING LEASES CREATES UNCERTAINTY IN THE MARKET ALREADY SHOWING MOVEMENT TOWARD PRICE INCREASES of $100 a barrel. FOREIGN OIL SOURCES WILL NOT HELP TO LOWER THIS PRICE.
BHO ADMINISTRATIONS ANSWER TO ENERGY IS TO TRIPLE ENERGY BILLS IN THE MIDWEST.
The Obama administration is changing the way wind energy projects in the American Midwest are financed by "spreading the costs" to consumers and businesses in other states, possibly doubling or perhaps tripling energy bills in the region in the coming years, experts are telling WND.
Obama's team at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates much of the coal, gas, hydroelectric and oil industries, late last month approved a scheme long sought by environmentalists that links windmills and windmill farms to conventional energy transmission grid lines in the nation's heartland.
"The policy is appropriate," Tony Olaivar, an energy Specialist at Lanz Inc., based in Champaign, Ill., tells WND. "Since it is the province of federal government to provide all our interstate infrastructures such as the U.S. Postal Service, interstate highways, and national defense. The original admonition can be found in the Constitutional preamble describing the republic as existing to 'ensure the general welfare.' Having said this, it would be most fair to spread the costs to the entire country."
(MARXIST VIEW)
FUBAR.
European countries, Russia, India, and Japan already reprocess nuclear fuel — the actual materials used to make nuclear energy — to separate and recover the unused uranium and plutonium, reduce waste and safely close the nuclear cycle.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The 40th anniversary of the Clean Air Act underscores the importance of nuclear energy in meeting the nation’s environmental goals. Signed by President Richard Nixon on Dec. 31, 1970, the Clean Air Act has improved the quality of the air in most U.S. cities and communities.
Nuclear energy plants don’t burn anything, so they produce no combustion by-products. Last year, U.S. reactors prevented the emission of 2 million tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), a precursur of acid rain, and 560,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), a key component of ground-level ozone and smog. (Put another way, U.S. emissions of SO2 and NOxwould have been 2 million tons and 560,000 tons higher, respectively, if fossil fuels had generated the electricity produced by America’s 104 nuclear power plants.) In comparison, that same year, the U.S. electric sector emitted 5.8 million tons of SO2 and 2 million tons of NOx. In 2009, nuclear plants also prevented the emission of 647 million tons of carbon dioxide and thousands of tons of fine particulates.
THE COST OF NUCLEAR ENERGY PER KILOWATT - HOUR IS $2.03.
THE COST TO THE UTILITIES AT UNDER $3.00 PER KILLOWATT-HOUR IS VERY ATTRACTIVE FOR INVESTING IN THIS ENERGY.
DOES THIS MEAN YUCCA CAN BE BYPASSED?ALTOGETHER STICKING IT TO THE HONORABLE HARRY REID? HE HAD HIS CHANCE TO CREATE JOBS FOR HIS LOWLY STATE OF NEVADA AND HE HAS BEEN A FAILURE.
From greenhouse gases to green agenda: 5 energy issues to watch
All eyes are on the new Republican House and energy and enivornment committee chairmen: Rep. Fred Upton (Mich.) will chair the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Doc Hastings (Wash.) will chair the Natural Resources Committee and Rep. Ralph Hall (Texas) will chair the Science and Technology Committee.
Attempts to block the Environmental Protection Agency’s climate regulations:
The EPA made two major announcements in its efforts to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The agency laid out a timetable for phasing in emissions standards for power plants and refineries, and announced it would issue greenhouse gas permits in Texas, where the governor had refused to align with federal rules. On top of that, beginning in January the EPA will, on a case-by-case basis, begin phasing in rules that require large new industrial plants and sites that perform major upgrades to curb emissions.
The continuing fallout from the Gulf oil spill:
Next year, Kenneth Feinberg, the administrator of BP’s $20 billion oil spill compensation fund, will continue to determine how best to dole out money to victims.
(THE FEDERAL GOV JUST CAN"T KEEP ITS HANDS OFF THE COOKIE JAR)
Under current law, the penalties go back to the federal government, but both Gulf state officials and President Obama have called for some of that money to go to restoration in the region. To that point, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) told The Hill recently that she wants 80 percent of the penalties to flow back to the Gulf.
(MEANWHILE GAS PRICES HAVE SOARED DUE TO FOOT DRAGGING ON NEW LICENSE TO DRILL AGAIN IN THE GULF)
Obama and Congress: Is compromise possible? And watch those prices:
With this year’s death of cap-and-trade, and in recent months, both Obama and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have talked up the prospect of bipartisan deals on boosting nuclear power, electric vehicles and natural-gas development.
Lawmakers including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Mark Begich (D-Alaska) are eyeing negotiations next year. And don’t forget Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who lead the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Will they thread the needle again and move a big bill through the panel? That’s what they did in 2009, only to see it stall and never reach the floor.
(WHEN IT'S A HALF DITCH EFFORT AND WITHOUT YUCCA AS A SOLUTION TO THE NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORY THIS WILL ONLY STALL ANY ATTEMPT TO BUILD UP NUCLEAR ENERGY - PROVEN TECHNOLOGY IN THIS COUNTRY. THE HONORABLE LISA MURKOWSKI WILL BACKSTAB ALASKA ON OIL DRILLING AND THE HONORABLE HARRY REID WILL KILL JOBS IN NEVADA BY BLOCKING YUCCA)
Greens try to regroup:
2010 was a disappointing year for environmental groups that poured resources into lobbying for climate legislation only to see it hit a brick wall in the Senate. Now, with emissions caps more vilified than ever on Capitol Hill, look for green groups to defend state and EPA climate programs.
Conflict and collaboration with China:
The energy relationship will probably get some high-level White House attention soon. Chinese President Hu Jintao is scheduled to visit Jan. 19.
THE HONORABLE OBAMA WILL GIVE EVERYTHING AWAY TO CHINA IN JOBS:
See how the Honorable Sen Reid is already touting this relationship.
http://henrypatrick1736.blogspot.com/2010/12/so-what-about-oath-to-country.html
A BIG SUCKING SOUND IS PENDING IN REGARDS TO MORE JOBS LOST IN THIS COUNTRY)
(THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A TREMENDOUS WORK AHEAD TO RESTORE SANITY IN ENRGY)
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/135031-five-energy-issues-to-watch-next-year
SHELL HAS BEEN DRILLING IN THIS AREA FOR AS LONG AS THE PIPELINE HAS BEEN IN ACTIVITY. HOW MUCH MORE SCIENCE DO YOU NEED WHEN HISTORY ALREADY PROVES YOU CAN DRILL SAFELY IN THIS AREA. THIS IS ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO CURTAIL JOB CREATION AND NEEDED ENERGY CREATION IN THIS AREA. CONSIDER THIS A LAST DITCH ATTEMPT OF THE 111th CONGRESS. STOP THE FOOT DRAGGING. BYE BYE ALREADY.
See SHELL'S SCIENTIFIC STUDIES:
http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/aboutshell/projects_locations/alaska/
House Dems to Interior: More science needed before Shell can drill off Alaska
By Ben Geman - 12/21/10 01:06 PM ET
More than three-dozen House Democrats are urging the Interior Department not to approve Royal Dutch Shell’s request to drill in Arctic waters off Alaska’s coast next year until more scientific information is available. states the letter spearheaded by Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and James Moran (D-Va.).
“Considering the obstacles to cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico, it is clear that we are completely unprepared to respond to a spill in the Arctic. Gale-force winds, temperatures below freezing and persistent storms are routine in the Arctic. The Department does not know what the effects of an oil spill in the Beaufort Sea would be and Shell’s plan to respond to an oil spill is untested,” the lawmakers write.
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/134691-house-dems-to-interior-more-science-needed-before-shell-can-drill-off-alaska
Welcome new members, we have so much work to do.
Washington, DC, Dec 10 - Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI), incoming Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today welcomed the 12 new Republican members of the Energy and Commerce Committee as well as the return of former Committee member Representative Greg Walden (R-OR).
“We have a great team with diverse backgrounds to deliver what the American people expect and demand - we will repeal Obamacare, cut spending, eliminate rampant, job-killing regulations, fortify our energy security, and help create jobs. I look forward to working with all of our members to put the country back to work and back on track."
The new Republican Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, in alphabetical order, are:
Charlie Bass (NH)
Brian Bilbray (CA)
Bill Cassidy (LA)
Cory Gardner (CO)
Morgan Griffith (VA)
Brett Guthrie (KY)
Gregg Harper (MS)
Adam Kinzinger (IL)
David McKinley (WV)
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA)
Pete Olson (TX)
Mike Pompeo (KS)
Greg Walden (OR)
THE GREAT SENATOR ATTEMPT TO MAKE NUCLEAR ENERGY THE FORE-FRONT SOURCE FOR THIS COUNTRY. BUT WITHOUT A NUCLEAR REPOSITORY THIS IS NOTHING BUT RHETORIC WITHOUT MAJOR BACKING.
He must consider YUCCA as already been passed by Congress as the Nations nuclear repository. In 1987, Congress amended the NWPA by designating Yucca Mountain as the only option for a longer-term storage site by a vote of 237-181 in the House of Representatives and 61-28 in the Senate. Congress reaffirmed Yucca Mountain's designation as the only option for a long-term storage site in 2002 by a vote of 306-117 in the House of Representatives and 60-39 in the Senate.
Graham Plans to Revive Push for Energy Bill
Friday, 10 Dec 2010 12:28 PM
Article Font Size 
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., may have abandoned climate change and energy talks with Democrats months ago. But that doesn’t mean he’s given up on the possibility of a bipartisan energy bill, The Hill reports.
He’s recreating his idea for a “clean energy” standard for utilities. The proposal would require power companies to supply increasing amounts of energy from low-carbon sources, including nuclear power. Graham says he wants to connect the idea with proposals to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from “overly” regulating several air pollutants, including carbon.
“I am going to try and get with some Democrats and Republicans and see if we can come up with a clean energy standard that has a regional flexibility, that focuses on clean energy, and keeps the EPA from overly regulating all these pollutants. That would be the tradeoff,” he says.
WHAT IS AN OATH TO THIS COUNTRY REALLY WORTH TO CONGRESS?
WE HAVE SO MUCH ENERGY READY FOR THE TAKING IN THIS COUNTRY. WE HAVE OIL FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA, ENOUGH FOR THE CURRENT ECONOMY TO GROW AND HELP LESSEN THE PRESENT UNEMPLOYMENT MAINLY BY LEGISLATING FOR OIL EXPLORATION. THESE INVESTMENTS WILL COME FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR NOT EVEN COSTING ONE TAX DOLLARS. WE CAN CREATE CONSTRUCTION WORK BY THE CREATION OF MORE NUCLEAR PLANTS WITH THE END RESULTS OF PLACING PEOPLE TO WORK AND WITH THE END RESULTS OF GREATER ENERGY THAN WE CAN EVER NEED THUS LOWERING ENERGY COSTS. SO WHAT DO WE DO INSTEAD, WELL THE HONORABLE PORKIE PIG aka SEN HARRY REID HAVE COZIED UP TO THE CHINESE SENDING WORK AND INCOME AWAY FROM PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY.
WASHINGTON — Top Democratic fundraisers and lobbyists with links to the White House are behind a proposed wind farm in Texas that stands to get $450 million in stimulus money, even though a Chinese company would operate the farm and its turbines would be built in China.
The farm’s backers also have close ties with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who, at the height of his hard-fought re-election bid this fall, helped blunt congressional criticism over stimulus dollars possibly going to create jobs in China by endorsing a proposal by the Chinese company to build a factory in his home state. Although his campaign received thousands of dollars in donations from the wind farm’s backers and Reid stood on stage with them at a campaign event they hosted, his office declined to answer any questions about the wind farm’s organizers or their plans for Nevada.
The wind farm, first announced more than a year ago, would consist of 300 2-megawatt wind turbines, each perched atop a 26-story-tall steel tower and spinning three blades — each half the length of a football field. The farm would span three counties and 36,000 acres in West Texas land best known for its oil. Dubbed the Spinning Star wind farm, the project’s 600-megawatt capacity is, theoretically, enough to power 180,000 American homes and would be the sixth-largest wind farm in the country.
The farm’s backers also have close ties with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who, at the height of his hard-fought re-election bid this fall, helped blunt congressional criticism over stimulus dollars possibly going to create jobs in China by endorsing a proposal by the Chinese company to build a factory in his home state. Although his campaign received thousands of dollars in donations from the wind farm’s backers and Reid stood on stage with them at a campaign event they hosted, his office declined to answer any questions about the wind farm’s organizers or their plans for Nevada.
The wind farm, first announced more than a year ago, would consist of 300 2-megawatt wind turbines, each perched atop a 26-story-tall steel tower and spinning three blades — each half the length of a football field. The farm would span three counties and 36,000 acres in West Texas land best known for its oil. Dubbed the Spinning Star wind farm, the project’s 600-megawatt capacity is, theoretically, enough to power 180,000 American homes and would be the sixth-largest wind farm in the country.
Sen. Reid and Obama donors back company seeking $450 million in U.S. money
In the Honorable Sen Reid's backward of NEVADA he prevents the use of the approved sight Yucca mountain.According to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) of 1982, as amended,the federal government was obliged to begin collecting nuclear waste by 1998. According to the Yucca Mountain Development Act of 2002, Yucca Mountain was to be the waste repository. Despite having collected over $30 billion in waste disposal fees from electricity rate payers and spending $10 billion on Yucca development, no waste has been collected. Senator Reid looks like prefers selling the US to foreigners instead of developing our own energy.
Say bye bye to House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming as brought to you by The Honorable Nancy Pelosi. Showing now at your local environmental groups.
In one of her first acts as speaker in 2007, Pelosi, a California Democrat created ths climate panel.
Goodluck to the Honorable minority leader Sensenbrenner, a Wisconsin Republican. Continue to profess for energy independence for all americans.
Should we call it already as conspiracy in the making. How can this offshoot agency make claims that in fact become law. Where's the representation you ask? Out the window and through the door along with the baby bath water.
The Interior Department declares designation of large Arctic regions as “critical habitat” for polar bears. Who do they think they are? Big government at work again throwing road blocks in making this country that much closer to cheaper energy, now that Alaskans can drill safely without harm to any life in the artic. Makes you wonder which sides are they really on.
Occurding to Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (R), the dept requires federal agencies to consult with Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before allowing or funding actions that could harm the bear’s northern Alaskan habitat.
ALRIGHT THEN LET HIM EAT HIS WORDS AND LET THE DEBATES BEGIN ON ENERGY. DON'T MAKE UP ERRONEOS STATEMENTS.
Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) warned Thursday that America needs to embrace clean-energy technologies instead of focusing on oil drilling, "or China is going to eat our lunch."
In June 2009, House Republicans introduced the American Energy Act (H.R. 2846) - an all-of-the-above energy plan that will responsibly use our natural resources to create new energy and make our environment cleaner. This bill includes specific measures to encourage development of renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, hydropower, nuclear and biomass, while also producing more American-made oil and natural gas.
Nuclear
THE CANADIENS CAN BE OUR NEW OIL PARTNER. THEY SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE, HERITAGE, AND A CLOSE NEIGHBOR. WHY THEN DO WE SUPPRESS THEM FROM GIVING US THE OIL WE NEED?
- The 104 nuclear reactors in America today provide the United States with 20 percent of its electricity and 73 percent of its carbon-free electricity, yet no new reactors have been ordered since 1978. This bill establishes a national goal to bring 100 new nuclear reactors online over the next 20 years to strengthen America’s commitment to clean, reliable energy.
Canada has roughly 180 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, second only to Saudi Arabia. More than 95 percent of these reserves are oil sands deposits in Alberta.
//www.personalliberty.com/conservative-politics/civil-liberty/the-tea-party-may-save-us-yet/
Nuclear Power. The U.S. gets 20% of its electricity (and 70% of its emissions-free electricity) from 104 nuclear power plants. Further, at less than two cents per kilowatt hour, nuclear energy is among the least expensive electricity produced in the U.S. and also, with no injuries or deaths as a result of commercial nuclear energy in the U.S., among the safest. Yet due to an onerous regulatory burden and the federal government’s failed strategy to manage nuclear waste, no new plants have been permitted in over three decades.
Access to America’s Natural Resources. The federal government owns and controls 650 million acres of land in the United States, including large portions in the western U.S. For instance, the federal government owns approximately 85% of the land in Nevada, 69% of Alaska, 57% of Utah, and 53% of Orego http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/08/meeting-america-s-energy-and-environmental-needs
ALL THAT HAS TO GO......Sanity is about to return to OUR ENERGY POLICY.... mmmm, mmmm, goood,.......construction work in energy infrastructure (NUCLEAR ENERGY YES YES YES) which will create/results in lower energy bills. LET US work for AMERICA NOT AGAINST HER.
http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/129273-112th-congress-needs-strong-conservative-leadership-to-right-ship
HOW MANY JOBS CAN YOU CREATE WITH SOCIALISM??? BIG FAT ZERO...
BUT BRING CAPITALISM AND YOU CAN HAVE 35,0000 RIGHT NOW BY OPENING DRILLING IN ALASKA. HOW ABOUT BUILDING MORE ENERGY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES. WHAT JACKASSES...... SCREW THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS GROW THE ECONOMY WITH ENERGY STUPID
http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa/aboutshell/projects_locations/alaska/
A must read why our Constitution stated that Congress and only Congress can legislate laws:
In 1987, Congress amended the NWPA by designating Yucca
Mountain as the only option for a longer-term storage site by a vote of 237-181 in the House of
Representatives and 61-28 in the Senate. Congress reaffirmed Yucca Mountain's designation as the only option for a long-term storage site in 2002 by a vote of 306-117 in the House of Representatives and 60-39 in the Senate.
But, the NRC is preventing this law in acted. See the memo from the Select Committee on Energy
http://republicans.globalwarming.house.gov/Media/file/PDFs/Corr_Oversight/10142010Jaczko_Yucca.pdf
