GOP proposes drilling expansion to pay for infrastructure

The Hill:
A proposal from House Republicans to funnel energy development revenues into infrastructure spending calls for a massive expansion of offshore oil-and-gas leasing and opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling rigs, according to new details unveiled Friday.
The proposal sets up a collision with the Obama administration, which opposes drilling in the Alaskan refuge and is proposing a far narrower offshore leasing plan.
...
 On Friday, Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) put meat on the bones by announcing a plan that would require lease sales in areas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, among other areas, and lift a congressional ban on oil-and-gas leasing that covers most of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. 
The plan includes a lease sale off Virginia’s coast by mid-2012. 
“The U.S. has vast energy resources that are not being developed due to federal government roadblocks. Removing these barriers and allowing expanded American energy production will create long-term job growth, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and provide much-needed revenue to help pay for vital infrastructure improvements,” Stivers said in a statement Friday.
...
I would prefer to see the increased revenue used to reduce the deficit, but I suspect the Republicans are just trying to  get Democrats on record as opposing drilling.  I do not think the Democrats in the Senate will even vote on the proposal.  I do think the legislation will be popular with voters.  Not allowing drilling in ANWR is sheer idiocy.
 

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