On September 16, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve a bill that would allow offshore oil drilling in U.S. coastal waters. The bill would repeal a 27-year ban on offshore oil drilling. The Senate was set to vote on a similar energy bill later in the same week. Any bill that the houses of Congress eventually agreed upon would face a possible veto by President Bush.
Democrats proposed the bill. It calls for states to decide on whether to allow oil drilling between 50 and 100 miles from their coasts. Many Republicans protested the bill, objecting that it left most of the coastline off-limits to oil drilling. Democrats have traditionally opposed offshore drilling because of its effects on the environment, while Republicans have traditionally supported it because of the country’s reliance on foreign oil. The issue has become a key issue in this year’s presidential campaigns.
Related Links
- U.S. Offshore Drilling Map
Map showing where offshore oil drilling is allowed today, and where it would be allowed if all offshore drilling bans were lifted. Does not take into account the 50 to 100 mile limit set by the bill passed by the House on September 16.
(Source: CNN, June 18, 2008) - House Passes Bill Allowing Offshore Drilling
Article covers the passing of the bill in the House, and the opinions of the supporters and opponents to the bill.
(Source: Reuters, September 17, 2008) - House Backs Fresh U.S. Oil Drilling
Story covers the details of the bill, as well as the reasons that the offshore drilling ban was enacted in the first place.
(Source: BBC, September 17, 2008) - BBC Special Report: The Price of Oil
Special site from the BBC covering the rising price of oil around the world. Includes stories, charts, and analyses covering the reasons behind the high oil prices.
(Source: BBC, September 16, 2008)