Bush lifts ban on offshore drilling

Reuters:

President George W. Bush planned to lift a ban on oil exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf on Monday as part of an effort to ease record high oil prices, the White House said.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Bush was acting because the Democratic-led Congress had failed to do so since he urged lawmakers last month to lift restrictions on offshore drilling, a move strongly opposed by environmentalists.

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The environmentalist have lost his argument, because what they want results in a lower standard of living for Americans. It also makes no sense on the merits of their argument. Their plan will not lower consumption, it just changes whether we are buying from ourselves or those who do not have our interest at heart. Bush's push for our own production puts the Democrats on the side of OPEC and those pushing for a lower standard of living.

The NY Times also covers the announcement.