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Politicians love to promote drilling as a solution to the twin problems of high-priced oil and foreign dependency on oil because we Americans love solutions that don't involve any self-sacrifice. No matter how implausible they may be. Yes, there is oil in ANWR, and some more offshore that is not being exploited. But we have an estimated 3% of the world's oil reserves and consume 25% of the world's production (2004 figures). So clearly, more drilling doesn't effectively address the problem. Per 1000 persons, Americans consume 70 bbl/day, compared to, for examples, 43 bbl/day in Australia, 32 bbl/day in France, and 30 bbl/day in the UK. A Ford F150 gets 14 miles per gallon of gas. A Toyota Prius gets 46 mpg. We waste a lot of gas. A partial solution is staring us in the face.I've always wondered why they don't allow offshore drilling. The accident/ spillage rate is so small. I don't think I've ever really heard of a large spill from a rig. Especially now since the Red Chinese have entered into an agreement with Cuba and will be drilling 60 miles offshore anyway. Why aren't we,other than because of a bunch of UNEMPLOYED tree huggers who don't need to pay for gas to GET TO WORK anyhow! That's why they are so vocal. They are not at work. Same with ANWR. The caribou seem to love the warmth of the pipeline and the people who protest don't live near there anyway. Most of em in fact would last about 1/2 a day out in the woods. Thanks Captain for this thread.
The Florida tourist industry doesn't want to spoil the view for the tourist. A rig15 miles from the beach can not be seen unless you are on the top floor of a high rise and then just barely. On the other hand they may increase the dive and fishing tourist business. Louisiana gets a lot of fishermen from other areas just because of the large fish populations on the rigs. Our beaches are just as clean as Florida beaches, just not as pretty because of the brown sand and near shore brown water neither of which is a result of offshore drilling.