Comments on: Offshore Drilling: The GOP Appeals to D.C. Tourists for Support http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/ A blog about science, politics, and how to let each help the other without compromising them both. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:51:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Larian LeQuella http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-636 Larian LeQuella Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:46:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-636 I am continually amazed at the shortsighted approach humans take in dealing with problems. We didn't do anything of consequence back in the '70s, and while off shore drilling may have some impact in the future, I still think it's the wrong way to go as a solution. The capital expenditures to spin up this drilling will be stupendous, yet no one seems to mention that. Also, why not drill in the millions of acres the oil companies already have in their grip? For being such supposedly smart apes, we sure act dumb. I am continually amazed at the shortsighted approach humans take in dealing with problems. We didn’t do anything of consequence back in the ’70s, and while off shore drilling may have some impact in the future, I still think it’s the wrong way to go as a solution. The capital expenditures to spin up this drilling will be stupendous, yet no one seems to mention that.

Also, why not drill in the millions of acres the oil companies already have in their grip?

For being such supposedly smart apes, we sure act dumb.

]]> By: Bob Miller http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-625 Bob Miller Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:28:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-625 So every year, some Very Smart People ask "Why gear up to drill here, you rubes, if the payoff is X years out?" Too bad nobody silenced this past decade's Very Smart People. So every year, some Very Smart People ask “Why gear up to drill here, you rubes, if the payoff is X years out?” Too bad nobody silenced this past decade’s Very Smart People.

]]> By: Chad http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-621 Chad Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:03:24 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-621 200,000 barrels/day is the estimate for OCS. A similar number could be pulled from ANWR. That would represent about a half-percent increase in world oil supply. Anyone who thinks a half-percent increase in suplly wouldn't affect prices by at least a few percent needs to take some economics lessons...oil demand is inelastic and therefore small changes in supply or demand result in large changes in price. This should be obvious to anyone who watches the news. Not only will it affect prices, but we are literally talking about TRILLIONS of dollars of oil. As long as we are not idiots and sell the leasing rights for a song (as we have done in the past), this huge windfall can fund transition to the renewable systems that we need. And I agree with Pete: "Ripping up" is a gross, baseless exaggeration. 200,000 barrels/day is the estimate for OCS. A similar number could be pulled from ANWR. That would represent about a half-percent increase in world oil supply. Anyone who thinks a half-percent increase in suplly wouldn’t affect prices by at least a few percent needs to take some economics lessons…oil demand is inelastic and therefore small changes in supply or demand result in large changes in price. This should be obvious to anyone who watches the news.

Not only will it affect prices, but we are literally talking about TRILLIONS of dollars of oil. As long as we are not idiots and sell the leasing rights for a song (as we have done in the past), this huge windfall can fund transition to the renewable systems that we need.

And I agree with Pete: “Ripping up” is a gross, baseless exaggeration.

]]> By: TSS http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-618 TSS Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:52:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-618 How do we know that the alt energy plans will be as efficient and successful as we hope? Just because it will not affect us now, does not mean that it will be beneficial in the long run. Even if we find a good alternative, the transition will take a while regardless. Replacing existing systems and technology will neither be cheap or quick, and having our own oil supplies, rather then relying on foriegn oil would free up more money for that transition. Also, had we started drilling years ago, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in now in the first place. How do we know that the alt energy plans will be as efficient and successful as we hope? Just because it will not affect us now, does not mean that it will be beneficial in the long run. Even if we find a good alternative, the transition will take a while regardless. Replacing existing systems and technology will neither be cheap or quick, and having our own oil supplies, rather then relying on foriegn oil would free up more money for that transition. Also, had we started drilling years ago, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in now in the first place.

]]> By: TGL http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-615 TGL Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:43:23 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-615 hmm... Pete, not sure I agree with you that a "longer and smoother transition to alt energy" is a good way to go. How about let's do it as fast as we can??? How about let's let some of the alt energy plans come to fruition, rather than allow the large oil companies to lobby against them in the congress??? hmm… Pete, not sure I agree with you that a “longer and smoother transition to alt energy” is a good way to go. How about let’s do it as fast as we can??? How about let’s let some of the alt energy plans come to fruition, rather than allow the large oil companies to lobby against them in the congress???

]]> By: Pete http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-605 Pete Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:24:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/08/12/offshore-drilling-the-gop-appeals-to-dc-tourists-for-support/#comment-605 "Ripping up"? No, not really, drilling a hole is not "ripping up." And yes, it will reduce oil prices, maybe not tomorrow, but in the long run it will. 5 years from now wouldn't you rather be paying $8 /gal rather than say $12? Gotta plan ahead. More sources of oil allow for a longer and smoother transition to alternative energy. Besides, with the economy not doing so great drilling for oil will open up new jobs. “Ripping up”? No, not really, drilling a hole is not “ripping up.” And yes, it will reduce oil prices, maybe not tomorrow, but in the long run it will. 5 years from now wouldn’t you rather be paying $8 /gal rather than say $12? Gotta plan ahead. More sources of oil allow for a longer and smoother transition to alternative energy. Besides, with the economy not doing so great drilling for oil will open up new jobs.

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