The increase in domestic drilling was almost entirely in areas for which the Obama administration exercised no authority, as oil production on federal land declined by 11 percent in fiscal year 2011, according to a study by the Institute on Energy Research (IER), a free-market energy think tank. But oil production on state lands increased that year by 14 percent and increased by 12 percent on private lands.
Increases? Yes. His doing? No.
About a year ago, the headlines read:
U.S. approves first deepwater oil drilling permit since BP spill
Published: Monday, February 28, 2011, 9:05 PMYou should remember that during the time when the Obama administration was dragging its collective feet, China and Cuba were doing the drilling dance not far from U.S. shores.
But, you say, the Obama administration was simply being responsible. When the time was right, the Obama administration acted decisively to ensure a new flow of oil for the country.
Eh, not exactly.... From one week earlier:
Court orders Obama to act on drilling permits
February 21, 2011: 11:14 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- A federal court ordered the Obama administration Thursday to act on five deep water drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico within 30 days, calling the delays in issuing new decisions "unreasonable, unacceptable, and unjustified."
Still, with environmental concerns, President Obama was completely justified in stopping oil exploration.
Bill Clinton: Drilling delays 'ridiculous'
Bill Clinton reportedly criticized delays in oil drilling permits since last year's spill in the Gulf. | AP Photo
By DARREN GOODE | 3/11/11 4:55 PM EDT
Former President Bill Clinton said Friday that delays in offshore oil and gas drilling permits are “ridiculous” at a time when the economy is still rebuilding, according to attendees at the IHS CERAWeek conference.Oh, but that was so last year!
True, Obama has had a chance to change directions and make the U.S. less dependent on oil from OPEC.
Obama’s Keystone pipeline rejection is hard to accept
January 18, 2012But one has to admire Obama for being consistent about his anti-oil policies.
Besides, the economy is recovering. What's the big deal? Well, oil prices are up from $33.07 in January 2009 when Obama took office to...
That more than tripled ... and that's just the start. The story, of course, is that starting expansion of drilling would take 3-4 years to influence oil supply. Uh, help me with the calculations here, but isn't it three years since 2009?
Gas prices high? No magic bullet, Obama says.
Gas prices rise to average $3.65 a gallon, a record for this time of year. Obama dismisses GOP plans to lower gas prices as 'bumper sticker' answer.
Oil prices are approaching last year's highs as tensions increase over Iran's nuclear program. The rise pushed gasoline prices Friday to a national average of $3.65 a gallon, the highest ever for this time of year.The most recent innovation of the Obama administration to ensure no lessening of foreign oil dependency is aggressive regulation.
Now we understand. It is not necessary for the U.S. to increase its own supply of oil because those are "bumper stick" solutions to high gasoline costs in the U.S. which is the result of the fear of not having enough oil because of actions by countries like Iran on whom the West is dependent for some of its oil.
In other words, being less dependent on unreliable sources of foreign oil would not make any difference regarding the impact of being dependent on foreign oil... so we're just not going to do anything about it. Same story 100th verse; a little louder, a little worse.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2012
Energy - Obstructionism As Policy