Bush to lift offshore drilling ban

[OH-JJ]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Dumb luck? There ARE safety protocols. Odds are odds for a reason. That doesn't mean accidents can't happen. Oh, that is, unless the rigs aren't there in the first place. Do you actually have a way to counter that simple fact?

Supertankers carrying vast amounts of oil will be cruising the same waters either way... those odds don't change. Again, there's really no disputing this simple fact, either.

As for movie stars... well, I didn't vote for any of them. And Deregulation is responsible for the rolling blackouts... completely unrelated to the topic at hand though that may be.

I'm done with this though. I don't come to the ST site for political discussion.

You probably should check your facts. The only reason super tankers exist, is for trans ocean transport. your argument actually supports offshore drilling, in that it would reduce the use of super tankers. the less oil we bring in from across any ocean the less tankers we use.

[OH-JJ]

Originally Posted by aggie99

Ok, I have a question regarding oil rigs. I do realize that the structure of a rig creates an artificial habitat which is good. My question is (not trying to start world wa III, just have little knowlege in how an active Rig functions) is what are the byproducts of a working rig? During the drilling, pumping and transferring process is their any by products that are leached into the water since these platforms are so isolated? I am sure there are policies in place because this is such a sore subject for most but I was just curious.

I still don't see how the net effect of active offshore rigs benefit the environement by the single fact that they create artificial reefs. The argument seems very similar to a tanning bed being healthy for you since they are a great source of Vitamin D.

the rigs are mostly self contained. I believe that they do flush the toilets into the sea but so does every other ship.

we are not talking about the small platforms here. we are talking about either drilling ships. or very large floating rigs. everything has to be shipped in or shipped off.

[Bassoonin]

We all seem to be losing sight of the main problem. I think that we all agree that there is a problem. We have rising oil prices and no good alternatives out there. Now I know that many of you have talked about electric cars and they are a great idea. But, they still use electricity. How do we currently get electricity? Mostly from coal and fuel oil.

There are many other great alternatives to produce electicity; for instance, nuclear powerplants. Wait, now we have another problem. Many people don't like nuclear power because of the environmental impact. In fact, no new nuclear power plants are being built do to safety concerns. Ok, so lets look at hydroelectric. Oh wait again, many environmental groups don't want us damning the rivers so I guess we can't do that. There has even been a push to eliminate wind power.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is a problem stemming from all sides of society. We need to find a middle ground and stay there.

As far as "Big Oil" profits go. We (and most people who have mutual funds) are invested in oil. We are also invested in fuel cells. So far, neither stock has done well in the past couple of years.

By the way, I own one of those big ugly SUV's. I use it to tow trailers, heavy ones. The day that I can get a hybrid SUV that can tow a 5,000lb trailer, I'll be the first one in line regardless of price.

[SlvrDragon50]

Bassoonin - Electric cars are cheap because the efficiency of an internal combustion engine is far less efficient than that found at a power plant. I know the cars I posted above are either all fuel, hybrid, or pure electric.

The all fuel uses simple physics to yield the 235 mpg
The hybrid uses some special engine and physics to get 300 mpg
The pure electric also uses a special engine and physics to get 120 mp/charge with the charge only costing 1-2$.

If electric cars cost more than buying a normal car, there would be no market for them.

[moosicman]

Nobody has mentioned these cars I don't think. I came in on this late and admit I didn't read every jot and tittle of all of these posts. BUT, here are a couple of inexpensive car alternatives that DO NOT cost more, in fact cost LESS than all of the others that have been put forth to this point (unless I missed a post somewhere):

Honda Fit = base price 13,950 and top model is 16,070
SmartCar = base price 11,590 and top model is 16,590

Granted they are smaller and not for those who need vehicles as workhorses but for an everyday vehicle (MOST of the population commuting to and from the job) this is the way to go. PLUS, the Smartcar has EXCELLENT safety ratings!!! So there are two alternatives (there are more than just those too) that don't cost an arm and a leg that can make a great impact on our situaton. My next vehicle purchase will be either of these two cars or the Ford Focus (which starts at 14,755, is American made and gets 35 mpg on the hwy). If we stopped buying vehicles to give us so called "status" and instead bought what would suit our needs instead of our wants, that would help, too. Thankfully, this little crunch we are in is starting to push us towards that (the silver line in the cloud, I think). I'm tired of seeing SUV driving soccer moms!

BTW, didn't the Flower Gardens National Banks research facility use to be a natrual gas platform (HIA 389A)?? Hey, I think it did!! I'm glad they put that thing there!! It has done sooo much good. My point is that we humans are GOING TO MAKE AN ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT. That is an unavoidable fact. But it doesn't have to be a RAPE of the earth and of nature. Drilling (not my first choice but under the circumstances it is a short term solution until we find better alternatives) can be done safetly and environmentally responsible but must have oversight AND when its first course of use has been run we should use it for greater good such as research facilities and the like. In the meantime we must push for better energy sources and research so that we don't get into such a jam like this again!

Another thing: I have found that many of the people who complain about oil or energy and don't wish to drill or build new plants are pretty hypocritical. I'm not pointing out any particular person, but we have to be self-sacrificing if we are to help this mess. Do you dry your clothes on a line? Do you let the water run while you are brushing your teeth? Do you recycle your plastic, aluminum, and glass. Do you turn off your computer when you are away from it (or your printer--and I don't mean "power-save mode")? Do you run your AC at 70 degrees or 75?? I admit...some of this stuff is a PAIN (I know because I do these and other things). BUT, my electric bill is CHEEEEAAAPP (around 80 dollars during the summer months in the freekin-hot south west Georgia and its even cheaper in the winter, of course). I have experienced many who can't disrupt thier comfortable lifestyle to make the sacrifice to do such things. Here is my thoughts on that: either PUT UP or SHUT UP! Crap or get off the pot! I am 100% PRO-environment AND I am for drilling! These problems are not like that stupid movie "The Sphere" where we can hold hands and just "wish" it away. It is impractical to think that until some alternative is found in a mass-production-effective way that we can just hug enough trees to make the world right again. These are problems that could very well tip us into another world war, with cataclismic results. If you think not, then your not being intellectually honest with yourself. Look at the chess board of the world. The pieces are moving into place for just such and event. I'll take an unsightly oil rig off my coastline over sending our son's and daughters into a world of hell and battle ANY day of the week and twice on Sunday's! But we MUST, in the meantime, find other sources of energy!!!

[ReefHound]

The SmartCar is a complete joke. It has no carrying capacity and poor performance. It's blown all over the road by winds, sways and rolls on cornering, accelerates like a turtle with a delayed response that annoys people, rides rough and noisy, and has an awkward transmission that jerks you back and forth. OK, so maybe one could sacrifice a little (lot of) comfort for the sake of great economy. But it's EPA fuel rating is only 36mpg!!! Holy crap, I can get that with a Hyundai Elantra, at an even cheaper purchase price, and not sacrifice any of those things.

That car has to be one of the most technologically inferior and inefficient cars on the market to be as small and light and powerless as it is, and still get no better than 36mpg.

[cummings66]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

If they could guarantee no spills, I'd cheerfully wave a flag for them while they headed out to begin working. But the fact is, they can't. Anyone who has actually witnessed a spill first hand knows this.

I saw on the news last night that they claim there is more natural oil released into the ocean than all of the oil spills put together. I don't know if it's true, but it was on the news...

[OH-JJ]

I find it humorous that divers consider the micro cars like the Smart car the mini, etc as viable cars. I personally only own one car, I don't want to pay the insurance for two cars. I need a vehicle that can reliably get me to and from work in all conditions, including snow and ice. it also must be able to haul my dive gear and camping gear. right now my doubles, gear bin, two singles and my stage bottle fill the back of my SUV. Plus I would much rather tilt up the doubles and slipinto the harness, than have to lift them out of a trunk.

I personally think the Escape is alittle on the flimsy side. the RAV4/ CRV's are too small. actually the closes thing to fitting my needs would be a Subaru, but I still think if it as a station wagon. So I stick with my glorified Pathfinder for now.

[captain]

Originally Posted by moosicman

Nobody has mentioned these cars I don't think. I came in on this late and admit I didn't read every jot and tittle of all of these posts. BUT, here are a couple of inexpensive car alternatives that DO NOT cost more, in fact cost LESS than all of the others that have been put forth to this point (unless I missed a post somewhere):

Honda Fit = base price 13,950 and top model is 16,070
SmartCar = base price 11,590 and top model is 16,590

Granted they are smaller and not for those who need vehicles as workhorses but for an everyday vehicle (MOST of the population commuting to and from the job) this is the way to go. PLUS, the Smartcar has EXCELLENT safety ratings!!! So there are two alternatives (there are more than just those too) that don't cost an arm and a leg that can make a great impact on our situaton. My next vehicle purchase will be either of these two cars or the Ford Focus (which starts at 14,755, is American made and gets 35 mpg on the hwy). If we stopped buying vehicles to give us so called "status" and instead bought what would suit our needs instead of our wants, that would help, too. Thankfully, this little crunch we are in is starting to push us towards that (the silver line in the cloud, I think). I'm tired of seeing SUV driving soccer moms!

BTW, didn't the Flower Gardens National Banks research facility use to be a natrual gas platform (HIA 389A)?? Hey, I think it did!! I'm glad they put that thing there!! It has done sooo much good. My point is that we humans are GOING TO MAKE AN ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT. That is an unavoidable fact. But it doesn't have to be a RAPE of the earth and of nature. Drilling (not my first choice but under the circumstances it is a short term solution until we find better alternatives) can be done safetly and environmentally responsible but must have oversight AND when its first course of use has been run we should use it for greater good such as research facilities and the like. In the meantime we must push for better energy sources and research so that we don't get into such a jam like this again!

Another thing: I have found that many of the people who complain about oil or energy and don't wish to drill or build new plants are pretty hypocritical. I'm not pointing out any particular person, but we have to be self-sacrificing if we are to help this mess. Do you dry your clothes on a line? Do you let the water run while you are brushing your teeth? Do you recycle your plastic, aluminum, and glass. Do you turn off your computer when you are away from it (or your printer--and I don't mean "power-save mode")? Do you run your AC at 70 degrees or 75?? I admit...some of this stuff is a PAIN (I know because I do these and other things). BUT, my electric bill is CHEEEEAAAPP (around 80 dollars during the summer months in the freekin-hot south west Georgia and its even cheaper in the winter, of course). I have experienced many who can't disrupt thier comfortable lifestyle to make the sacrifice to do such things. Here is my thoughts on that: either PUT UP or SHUT UP! Crap or get off the pot! I am 100% PRO-environment AND I am for drilling! These problems are not like that stupid movie "The Sphere" where we can hold hands and just "wish" it away. It is impractical to think that until some alternative is found in a mass-production-effective way that we can just hug enough trees to make the world right again. These are problems that could very well tip us into another world war, with cataclismic results. If you think not, then your not being intellectually honest with yourself. Look at the chess board of the world. The pieces are moving into place for just such and event. I'll take an unsightly oil rig off my coastline over sending our son's and daughters into a world of hell and battle ANY day of the week and twice on Sunday's! But we MUST, in the meantime, find other sources of energy!!!

Thank you, my feelings exactly

[captain]

LOOP, the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port is located in the Gulf 20 miles south of Grand Isle, LA. It is not an oil rig as such it is an unloading point for supertankers. The platform is surrounded by several large mooring bouys that the supertankers tie up to and pump the oil by pipeline to the platform which then pumps the oil to refineries on shore.
It has been in operation constantly 24/7 365 unloading supertankers for 30 years without a major spill. On some days when I passed by it there are 3 supertankers unloading at the same time.

It is so critical to the US oil supply that boat traffic is not allowed within 1 mile of it. If you do happen to wander into the exclusion zone you will be escorted out by a heavly armed patrol boat. Every year the Navy SEALS pratice assaulting it in case it were ever captured by terriorist. Louisiana Offshore Oil Port - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Between Alabama and Texas there are currently between 3000 and 4000 oil platforms. During hurricane Katrina there were no spills. The only sugnificant one happened several days after Katrina when a supply boat hit a piece of submerged debris from the storm that punctured it fuel tank.