In California, Support Grows for Offshore Drilling

[question everything]

Source: WSJ

Just 51% Favor Ban, As High Prices Lead To Some Rethinking
By STU WOO and SIOBHAN HUGHES
July 17, 2008; Page A2

(snip)

A new Field Poll survey to be released Thursday shows that 43% of Californians support the idea of drilling for oil or natural gas along the state's coast, compared with 51% who oppose it. In the last Field Poll survey on the topic, in 2005, 39% supported such drilling, compared with 56% in opposition. The majority of Californians have opposed the drilling in the poll since 1984.

(snip)

The shift in sentiment on drilling in California could help Republicans in the Washington debate, though they still can't say that a majority of Californians support more oil rigs off the coast. Much of the opposition stems from media images of a 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara... Other businesses and politicians worry about the potential impact that drilling would have on coastal tourism and ocean-dependent businesses. Of California's 27 offshore platforms, 20 are in the Santa Barbara channel and environs.

Ms. Pelosi, as well as the state's two Democratic U.S. senators and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, have blasted Mr. Bush for lifting the moratorium. Even if Congress lifts the federal moratorium, California can prevent new drilling in federal waters, said Brian Baird, the assistant secretary for ocean coastal policy for the state's resources agency. If the Department of Interior opens federal waters to drilling from oil companies, the California Coastal Commission can exercise its "federal-consistency" authority and prohibit specific plans to drill. But oil companies could appeal to the secretary of commerce, who could override the coastal commission's decision, Mr. Baird said. That appears unlikely, because the Bush administration has said it supports states' right to decide on drilling.

At a Shell gas station in San Francisco charging $4.89 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas -- one of the highest prices in the city -- Carlos Vasquez said he had previously opposed offshore drilling because of environmental concerns. But the 41-year-old lawyer said the recent rise in gas prices changed his mind. "Anything can do to help alleviate the perceived or real lack in supply of oil -- even if it takes a little while to take effect -- I think that's the right move," Mr. Vasquez said. "It's a risk we ought to take...at this point."





Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121624350180759719.html (subscription)

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I have to wonder how many of the poll participants live close to the coast. Also how many really remember the 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara. I think that the population of CA doubled since 1969 and most current residents could not care less.

[msongs]

1. 5% conservation would probably do more than all the new drilling possible nt

[Larkspur]

2. How many were told that oil companies already have millions of acres on lease

that the are not drilling on today and if they proceed with drilling on new lands proposed by Bush, the oil will go on the international market where China can buy it and therefore it won't go tot he US and have NO effect on our gasoline prices.

[Overseas]

4. No no no. We just go up to them at the gas pump and ask how they feel now.

After all, we're the WSJ Online.

[Mojambo]

3. Disaster capitalism WORKS. n/t

[AndyTiedye]

5. Build More Railroads Instead

[bemildred]

6. Wall Street Journal spews ignorant babble as usual. nt

[Duer 157099]

7. I believe it - there really *are* that many idiots in this state

Swear to god, doesn't surprise me at all.

But, it's because they believe what the media is telling them, hard to fault them too much for that I suppose.

[fasttense]

8. They should drill right of off the Portabello Estate.

They really need to drill in the Pacific Ocean off of the Southern California coast line near what is called the Portabello Estate.

A $75 million estate built in 2002, the home has eight bedrooms and 10 full baths in nearly 30,000 square feet of ultramodern space.

The place just screams drill here, drill here.

[grilled onions]

9. People Need To Be Educated

"Drill" it into their heads: U.S sells it's own oil to other countries. We need to get back to using the rails. Other countries do it and it's quick and efficient. We need to encourage and add to public transportation. It saves on emissions,fuel,crowded roads etc. When possible people should try to walk, ride bikes,carpool. We need to conserve by driving less or doing all the shopping in one trip. Keep a stocked larder at home(as much as financially possible) so that one does not need to rush to the store every other day.