Salazar against Bush oil shale policies

[DogPoundPup]

Discusses reality of development
By LAURELIN KRUSE

ALAMOSA — U.S. Senator Ken Salazar criticized President George Bush’s speech about tapping into Western oil shale as a means of reducing high gas prices.

In a speech yesterday morning Bush advocated production of oil production and said it could significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

Salazar criticized Bush’s speech and said he does not understand oil shale development. “The President’s rhetoric this morning on oil shale showed that he is fundamentally out of touch with the realities of oil shale development and western communities,” said Salazar.

Salazar said Republicans have suggested Democrats are stopping oil shale production. “ have all testified the barriers to oil shale development are economic, technological and environmental, not legal or regulatory” he said.

Salazar said oil shale could not be developed until 2015 at the earliest.

Salazar also criticized the President’s proposal to open all off-shore areas to oil and gas drilling. He said vast amounts of federal land are leased to energy companies but remain undeveloped and there are 68 million acres leased but inactive that could nearly double total U.S. oil production.

Salazar said Americans feel pain when paying at the pump and it’s necessary to find long-term, thoughtful, responsible solutions to dependence on foreign oil.

The Senate attempted to pass the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act but a filibuster by Republicans blocked the movement. “I’m disappointed we were not able to get through the bill,” said Salazar. The House passed the bill in May.
http://www.alamosanews.com/V2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=&story_id=7975

[losthills]

1. This is one of the issues we are going to be dealing with

from now on.

Shale oil and uranium. The pressure is on to tear up the entire West going after crumbs that were worthless a couple of years ago. It won't help anyone, and the environmental damage will be irreversable. We need to get the needle out of our arm before we OD....

[DogPoundPup]

2. Couldn't agree with you more! n/t