White House Intercedes for Gas Project in National Forest

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gas9aug09.story
White House Intercedes for Gas Project in National Forest
By Julie Cart
Times Staff Writer

August 9, 2004

CARSON NATIONAL FOREST, N.M. — Overriding the opposition of the U.S. Forest Service and New Mexico state officials, a White House energy task force has interceded on behalf of Houston-based El Paso Corp. in its two-year effort to explore for natural gas in a remote part of a national forest next door to America's largest Boy Scout camp.

Forest Service officials discouraged efforts to drill in the Valle Vidal at least three times since the agency acquired the land in 1982, citing concerns about water pollution, wildlife and recreation if a large-scale energy project were approved.

But last week, the agency took the first step toward approving the giant energy company's proposal to tap into 40,000 acres of alpine meadows in the Carson National Forest. The agency released a report that forecast a high probability of recovering gas from the area and laid out a scenario in which 500 wells could be drilled on the forest's east side.

The Forest Service's action has sparked angry opposition from many groups and officials, including New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat who was U.S. secretary of Energy during the Clinton administration. Such disputes are increasingly commonplace in Rocky Mountain states as critics of Bush administration energy policies accuse the White House of repeatedly targeting some of the most cherished wild places for development. <snip>

[DaveSZ]

1. It makes me sick

Bastards.

Can we try to tie this up in court until Kerry can get in?

He has to win this thing.

[papau]

2. I hope it does get tied up in Court. - indeed this is first phase so no

drilling for a year or two.

[DaveSZ]

3. Yeah indeed

What about Otero Mesa?

http://www.oteromesa.org/


(This is the main reason I'm for Kerry btw)

They are drilling on Padre National Seashore too.