General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHouse To Vote On Bill That Would Impose $5,000 Fee For Protesting Drilling Projects
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/11/18/2962431/house-vote-protesting-drilling-projects/BY EMILY ATKIN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2013 AT 3:05 PM
The House is likely to vote on a number of GOP bills this week related to the oil and gas industry, arguably the most sweeping of which is the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), is broad legislation designed to make it much easier for oil and gas companies to obtain permission to drill on public lands. If signed into law, the legislation would automatically approve onshore drilling permits if the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) failed to act on them in 60 days.
If an individual does not like a proposed drilling project and wanted to oppose it, he or she would have to pay a $5,000 fee to file an official protest.
In addition, Lamborns proposed bill would direct the DOI to begin commercial leasing for the development of oil shale, a controversial type of production that has been largely banned by the United States since President Herbert Hoover prohibited the leasing of federal lands for oil shale. Oil shale which should not be confused with the more common shale oil is a type of rock that needs to be heated to nearly 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit to produce crude oil, which then has to be refined.
..more..
avebury
(10,952 posts)the First Amendment Right to Free Speech and therefore unconstitutional.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)the fee is to file an official protest with the feds.
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)There is a constitutional right, which predates the Bill of Rights, for citizens to be able to petition their government. $5k to do so might actually even be a problem for this right leaning court.
avebury
(10,952 posts)a fee would be unconstitutional and taking this country down a slippery slope we don't want to go down.
Veilex
(1,555 posts)If it isn't illegal, it is certainly unethical and should be made illegal.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)does the Patriot Act violate?
Scuba
(53,475 posts)The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater. ~ Frank Zappa
first they take the public land then fine you for protesting it... the curtain is gone
freshwest
(53,661 posts)GOP is being made very hansomely to dismantle the Constitution the baggers say they are protecting.
Cha
(297,655 posts)Nightmare that we have consistantly battle.
Bandit
(21,475 posts)I don't think there is anything truly American the GOP supports.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)K&R
G_j
(40,370 posts)is the use of OUR land to develop oil shale..
airplaneman
(1,240 posts)G_j
(40,370 posts)it belongs to our grand children..
airplaneman
(1,240 posts)Public assets belong to us and I do not want to sell them off or let others make money at our expense. The Republican meme privatize everything scares the hell out of me.
-Airplane
ReRe
(10,597 posts)If it passes the house, will it pass the Senate? I don't know if I understand it. Does it mean protesters will each, individually, be fined $5,000 for protesting?
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Every single day.
True fascism
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024050204
G_j
(40,370 posts)and I heard there are more oil related bills coming also.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)Get up in the Morning and another CRAZY Fascist type is raving about something. And, not just here...look at Great Britain and Canada.
SoLeftIAmRight
(4,883 posts)I got the memo.
Samantha
(9,314 posts)I was headed to the bottom of the thread to post this. Great minds ....
Sam
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)But that no longer matters.
bluesbassman
(19,379 posts)So I can see how this will work; the oil companies will bombard the DOI with a bunch of spurious applications until the system is overloaded, then sneak in the ones they actually want and figure that there won't be enough resources to get to them and voila!, permit by default!
G_j
(40,370 posts)especially when the oil companies are writing the bills for them..
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)ashling
(25,771 posts)but since they don't have that pesky immigration thing to worry about, and "jobs, jobs, jobs" is so last summer, and of course, no need to worry about the budget.
thank goodness the adults are in charge!
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)gtar100
(4,192 posts)How awesome you are at "shifting the public perception" of your obvious attempt at gaming the system in your favor. You are so clever!
Assholes!
(that's not sarcasm)
red dog 1
(27,849 posts)Although Boner will probably have enough tea baggers to pass this in the House;
it will be DOA in the Senate.
moondust
(20,006 posts)Perhaps 61 days?
marmar
(77,090 posts)...... The fascism is coming fast and furious right now.
Historic NY
(37,453 posts)we have to pay a fee to do so.
Turbineguy
(37,365 posts)Or anything else.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)-Laelth
WillyT
(72,631 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,192 posts)Least productive House ever.
woo me with science
(32,139 posts)lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)Oh yeah it just a "god damned piece of paper." GWB
JimboBillyBubbaBob
(1,389 posts)dick tax on Rep. Lamborn? There should be a cost to being a dick.
supernova
(39,345 posts)marginalize those without $5K to shuck out to have their voice heard, but it is taxation without representation.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)KoKo
(84,711 posts)or give it the OK!
There's something in the water these crazies drink.