House Panel Deregulates Drilling Techniqu (ignores danger to ground water)

[Robbien]

WASHINGTON — Despite rising complaints that a common oil and gas industry drilling technique threatens drinking water supplies, the House Energy Committee appeared poised today to approve legislation exempting the practice from future regulation under federal drinking water statutes.

The technique, developed by Halliburton Co., involves injecting pressurized fluids deep underground to encourage oil and gas to rise to the surface. For years, Halliburton and other energy firms have been fighting efforts to regulate the practice under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The widely used practice, known as hydraulic fracturing, is generally considered safe. But there has been growing concern as its use has proliferated in coal bed methane fields around the country and in some of the geologically fragile oil and gas repositories of the American West.

On Tuesday, the House Energy Committee rejected Democrats' proposals to modify the exemption. The first, by Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado, would have required a scientific study of the practice before the exemption went into effect. The second, by Rep. Hilda L. Solis of California, would have prohibited the use of diesel fuel in underground injection.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-041305halliburton_lat,0,6809249.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[DeepModem Mom]

1. Another outrage! From the article --

"The whistleblower, Weston Wilson, a 32-year veteran of the environmental agency, says that a recent EPA review of the technique's safety did not use well-established agency standards and relied on a peer review panel that was entirely dominated by energy industry veterans, including some still affiliated with Halliburton. His claims are under review by the EPA's inspector general."

[rodeodance]

3. The enviroment jaugernaut is in full steam ahead mode.

[Webster Green]

2. What a nightmare these republicans are....

Developed by Halliburton! Damn! Who could imagine?

This poster is relevant on yet another level.....



Download poster (3 sizes available):
http://www.resistbush.com/downloads.html

[OneBlueSky]

4. only two things matter to Repugs . . . money and power . . .

all this phoney Christianoid crap is just public relations and marketing . . . helping people, protecting the environment, promoting peace have no place if there's money to be made or more power to be grabbed . . . these people disgust me more and more every day . . .

[kskiska]

5. WP: House Committee Backs Drilling in Wildlife Refuge

A House panel yesterday backed drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, advancing a key element of the Bush administration's energy plan.

The House Resources Committee endorsed drilling in the refuge's ecologically sensitive coastal plain as part of a package of energy measures approved by voice vote. Committee members rejected an effort by Democrats to strip the drilling provision from the measure by a vote of 30 to 13.

In previous years, the House has repeatedly supported similar measures, but those efforts were unsuccessful because of opposition in the Senate or from then-President Bill Clinton.

But this year, the prospects for drilling are stronger. Last month, the Senate included a provision allowing drilling in its budget resolution -- the first time the Senate has endorsed development in the refuge since President Bush took office.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51215-2005Apr13.html

[Erika]

6. May they rot . Eisenhower protected this area as

a unique and pristine area to always be protected from commercial development.

Who is going to be operating this enterprise? We are already selling Alaska oil to China and Asia. Will we now be selling more?

The Bushies are determined to ruin this planet in search for materialism. They are selling their kids and grandkids future away for their gains today.

[roguevalley]

7. Fuckers. I was standing on the porch in shirtsleeves and bare feet

and watching summer all around me. That is not what Alaska is supposed to be this time of year. I hope someone sinks a landfill in these guys back yards. They should all go to hell.

[Robbien]

8. In case anyone missed the map of the required drilling area

Because U.S. Geological Survey studies have found that oil in the refuge isn't concentrated in a single, large reservoir. Rather, it's spread across the coastal plain, which would require vast networks of roads and pipelines that would fragment the habitat, disturbing and displacing wildlife.

[w4rma]

9. The Republican Party is flipping insane. (nt)

[struggle4progress]

10. kick