Alarm raised: Reid quietly trying to extend ban on oil shale
posted at 3:46 pm on September 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Two days after leaving through the front door he’s trying to sneak back in through the side. Jim DeMint is up in arms, as is Heritage:
This comes as both a stunning and ridiculous development; Americans are still coping with high energy prices and coming to grips with a plan to bailout Wall Street, and Senator Reid is denying access to potentially one of America’s most abundant energy reserves. Just how much energy you ask?
Dr. Daniel Fine of MIT reported that 750 billion barrels worth of oil shale have been discovered in Colorado alone. That amount is enough to potentially power the U.S. economy for many decades. Furthermore, if full-scale production begins within five years, the U.S. could completely end its dependence on OPEC by 2020…
In essence, Senator Reid is stripping the decision rights away from his colleagues in other states.
Here’s a fact sheet from Gingrich’s American Solutions group noting that America’s oil shale deposits are fully three times the size of Saudi Arabia’s proven oil reserves, and here’s the contact information for all 100 senators. Go rattle some cages. Exit question: How about a hastily arranged presser for the Barracuda to stress her outrageous outrage at this development?
Update: A reader e-mailed Reid’s spokesman for comment and got this reply. I’m not kidding about rattling cages.
There is a possibility the Senate will be asked to vote on reestablishing the moratorium on oil shale extraction. Although Senate Democrats support measures to increase this nation’s energy supply, oil shale extraction has not been proven to be economically viable, will produce more greenhouse gases, and will significantly decrease the West’s water supply.
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It is pretty simple. Since the oceans are going to rise three feet (thanks AL !) there will be plenty of water and we can use the rock to build dikes around the coast. Everyone wins!
Limerick on September 25, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Some people are good at that.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 4:29 PM
WHO is funding Reid’s reelection? Sierra Club? World Wildlife Fund? Greenpeace? PETA? Seriously, who is giving this SOB his marching orders?
DerKrieger on September 25, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Newer methods of extracting shale uses far less water (about 1/10 of older methods) and does it more efficiently as well. You aren’t spending 3 barrels of water for 1 barrel of oil.
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Two great posts that go great together!
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/07/07/las-vegas-review-journal-been-to-vegas-lately-harry/
funky chicken on September 25, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Hey, if McCains incidences of cancer are real concerns, why can’t we express the same type of wonderment about the possible consequences of the stroke(s) that Sen. Reid suffered so recently? Could his stroke have effected his thinking? What do the doctors say and just what might his medical records reveal? Some people say that strokes can impair one’s cognitive abilities. Not me personaaly, you understand, but some people.
thegreatbeast on September 25, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Governor Palin is the ideal spokes(wo)man. for this issue. She KNOWS oil exploration – whether drilling, shale extraction, etc. She can kick the shit out of H. Reid on this topic, get Coloradans absolutely enraged at Dirty Harry – while at the same time, getting some “experience” in throwing these Democratic a**hats under the bus – As though she needs it!
alwyr on September 25, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Congratulations on not understanding the laws of conservation of matter.
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I don’t know enough about the process but surely some of the water is recovered for reuse. It’s water, it can’t be destroyed. It’s either recovered, allowed to runoff as “dirty” water, or is vented to the atmosphere as steam.
DerKrieger on September 25, 2008 at 4:33 PM
I’m not getting hyped. He hasn’t changed since his stroke. He’s the same old, same old Dingy Harry.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 4:33 PM
I think Sen. Reid’s medical records would find bloodwork that tests high for formaldyhide.
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 4:34 PM
I can’t get through the switchboard in DC.
JustTruth101 on September 25, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Yep. Water is amazingly recyclable, so if you produce waste water, you can clean it and use it again. It’s an amazing concept, really.
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 4:34 PM
BTW Kerogen is in anything concerning coal, gas and of course petroleum. They don’t do the same crap you are thing of though.
in comes a wiki site:
injection wells
EPA site
Let me know if you need more information. I think that will take you a little bit of time to absorb.
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:36 PM
More shale rock has to be put back into the groundafter the kerogen has been extracted right? Where is the waste rock going to go again?
I’d prefer offshore drilling but only after we’ve drained Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle east of oil.
420sniper on September 25, 2008 at 4:37 PM
LOL you’re an idiot. You are thinking strip mining! HAHAHHAHAA!
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I’d kill every F*cking Polar Bear in the Arctic, if it would make oil $30 per barrel.
marklmail on September 25, 2008 at 4:38 PM
The pathetic politics of denial. Thanks, Harry.
hillbillyjim on September 25, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Someone tell me how you strip mine a oil well in the middle of the ocean… HAHHAHHAHAHHAHA!
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Forget that “Palin needs to…” malarkey.
The NYT and all other members of the MSM need to do this, and various members of Congress need to stand up and howl about it.
And someone needs to introduce a law making this kind of activity — i.e. slipping irrelevant stuff into bills — illegal.
MrScribbler on September 25, 2008 at 4:38 PM
And after we’ve drained our economy of cash and the Saudis own everythinig?
DerKrieger on September 25, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Soros… Petrobras (google them together). Reid in his pocket… putting country first.
CC
CapedConservative on September 25, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Paying loanshark prices for oil from nutjobs that hate us is a lot more cost effective…..
Greenhouse gasses….Yeah…have you seen how they have to move those wind energy mills? It’s about 7 or 8 pieces, each having to be shipped by truck, with 2 trucks front and back for safety….
We could drill Chuck Schumer’s rug for oil.
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 4:39 PM
It took forever for the email system to load.
My guess is they’re pretty bogged down today.
Conservative_SAHM on September 25, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Then you DON’T have to worry about stopping it. Simple economics will do it for you.
OBQuiet on September 25, 2008 at 4:40 PM
WHO is funding Reid’s reelection? Sierra Club? World Wildlife Fund? Greenpeace? PETA?
Here in Nevada we refer to him as “Sierra Harry”
AlanC on September 25, 2008 at 4:41 PM
I see that you are against natural competition. Lower prices. Jobs in the United States, not to mention that we really don’t get a lot of oil from those countries. We get oil, primarily from Canada, Venezuela and Mexico.
Venezuela might become home to Russian Nukes. Is this a country you want your economy to be enslaved to?
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Limerick on September 25, 2008 at 4:41 PM
My guess?
OPEC
+ Numbered Accounts
= Drill Not, Drill Nowhere, Pay More
Akzed on September 25, 2008 at 4:42 PM
I disagree. It’s all about leadership. McCain-Palin are running on an energy platform. Show some stones and say no.
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 4:42 PM
In Situ conversion is even worse than extracting shale. I’m not a big fan of poisoning printine wilderness. I’d prefer urban areas to be polluted.
420sniper on September 25, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Sierra Club; syn: Soros
World Wildlife Fund; syn: Soros
Greenpeace; syn: Soros
PETA; syn: Soros
CC
CapedConservative on September 25, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Harry Reid has to go.
SoulGlo on September 25, 2008 at 4:42 PM
More like Soros (or Buffet, I forget), who invested billions of dollars in the Brazil oil drilling companies, while fighting against drilling at home.
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Wasn’t there a report a few months back that old, supposedly dried-up wells had somehow refilled themselves? I remember Rush mentioning it. Anyone? Bueller?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Surely there is something illegal about Soros’ maneuverings. The man is a known subversive who is actively trying to undermine our government.
DerKrieger on September 25, 2008 at 4:44 PM
People such as yourself, make me want to pop you in the head multiple time with my fist, and then slam you against a tree.. so I can watch you hug it!
You are an idiot. You have no clue about wtf you are talking about.
RESEARCH FFS! Then come in and talk… talking smack gets you no where other then being shown you are truely ignorant.
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:44 PM
SoCalInfidel: Please quit wimping out!!! All of us are in the same boat as you, and instead of just “giving up”, (which is your easy [California] way out), the rest of us have made up our minds we’re taking this the final mile…..Hope you tag along.
alwyr on September 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Either way, it’s someone VERY interested in the US being dependent on foreign oil. Sierra Club et al aren’t so powerful as to gain the kind of control over Dem leadership as is apparently being exercized behind the scenes. One thing’s for sure: it ain’t just ideological.
Akzed on September 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM
There is a theory that oil is not made by fossils, but it is a byproduct of the movement of tectonic plates and volcanic activity. I tend to believe this (it makes sense), but more proof is needed.
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Stevens needs to be indicted and convicted,..he represents a big part of the reason the pubbies are struggling right now, regardless of his stance on drilling. He’s helped taint the brand.
a capella on September 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Moons in our solar system have atmospheres and lakes made of “fossil” fuels. Why?
DerKrieger on September 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM
*COUGH* upinak, you wanna field this one?
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 4:46 PM
+1 Seems to be some evidence of this.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Yeah, that sounds like what I heard… anyone have a link or anything? Video, article, etc.?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Yes Grue, capped (or P&A wells) have been shown that after they are dried up, and left for a few years, do actually have oil in them. Traps in the formation hold the oil, oil is lighter then water, gas is lighter then oil… it seeps to the top and gets trapped by sediment.. usually made with limestone.
When the well is dug and fractures these areas and capped after they deem it “dry” and left after they plug it with cement… people have come back to see if there is possibly methane and come to find out there was oil in them again.
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Done. Called my two Senators and told them to support Reid. Is there some more environmentally insane way we could produce oil? Why not work on drilling ANWR instead? We should all be able to agree that drilling ANWR is far more ecologically reasonable than the staggering destruction of extracting oil from oil shale.
thuja on September 25, 2008 at 4:48 PM
RE Reid:
I wonder what it’s like to look in the mirror while brushing one’s teeth and recognize that one is an ass, then make a deliberate decision to continue being said ass.
pugwriter on September 25, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Stevens needs to be indicted and convicted,..he represents a big part of the reason the pubbies are struggling right now, regardless of his stance on drilling. He’s helped taint the brand.a capella on September 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Who has also been the strongest ADVOCATE for Oil Drilling!
Don’t lecture me on this. He has ALWAYS been for the opening of ANWR.
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Google abiotic oil origin.
Akzed on September 25, 2008 at 4:50 PM
I have a little tidbit about windfarms….no, I am not T. Boone Pickens illegitimate child….
A heard a story about people who live near windfarms are reporting migraine headaches, nausea..from the low frequency noise that the windmills emit.
I’d rather extract oil shale than get a migraine…already get enough of those from the MSM.
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Every time Reid speaks or a picture or video is shown of him, there should be a prominent disclaimer attached that quotes his “no body knows what to do” statement while he and Pelosi planned their next recess during a financial crisis… while Bush, McCain and economists from across the nation were working on actual plans to address the problem.
Damiano on September 25, 2008 at 4:51 PM
thuja on September 25, 2008 at 4:48 PM
I hope you meant not supporting Reid.
kareyk on September 25, 2008 at 4:51 PM
What is it with Democrat’s and water? It’s some kind of fixation. My liberal friends are always going back and forth about it too. On the one hand, the ice caps are melting and we’ll get too much water. On the other hand we have droughts all over the place and we’ll only have salt water. I don’t know, maybe they ought to invest in some desalination plants and let the rest of us invest in extracting oil shale deposits.
Sultry Beauty on September 25, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Nothing should be off the table at the moment. We can drill for oil and work on alternatives simultaneously. If American ingenuity and providence prevail we may never need our shalre resources. But Reid has no right to try to make them off limits to serve his eco-Marxists campaign contributors. The man is a puppet.
DerKrieger on September 25, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Brilliant idea.
If these people keep stonewalling on drilling it will be angry mobs carrying pitchforks, and not mere cage rattling that they’ll have to worry about.
No drilling? No justice, no Peace.
Buy Danish on September 25, 2008 at 4:52 PM
You sir are a gentleman and a scholar.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Here.
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 4:52 PM
No… Stevens needs to be shown the door. He should have resigned, so that a competent Republican could have been elected this year, but alas…
Abby Adams on September 25, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Do both.
cntrlfrk on September 25, 2008 at 4:52 PM
He’s a lowlife turd and polishing it doesn’t make it shine any more.
a capella on September 25, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Could someone copy/paste all 100 e-mails, separated by a semi-colon, into a single post here so we can write one letter addressed to every dadgum one of them?
Patrick S on September 25, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Titan
Limerick on September 25, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Yeah I get that all the time.
Akzed on September 25, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Grue, Spirit.. I think you are looking for this.
Abiotic petroleum
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:53 PM
We could also stop farming US land and wait for the rest of the world to deplete their soil while paying whatever price they want for their food products. We probably wouldn’t suffer the food shortages as much as many other countries because we could afford the $100 price tag on a loaf of bread easier than most other nations.
Buddahpundit on September 25, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Yep – is it really “fossil” fuel? Perhaps coal is the only real fossil fuel.
DerKrieger on September 25, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Woooooo… scarey! And what if he gets off? Give me a break and go check on your own damn Senator!
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Please folks…..quit stroking SoCalInfidel and telling him/her everything’s going to turn out okay in the end.
SoCalInfidel, grow some balls; quit you’re fu**ing whining; for once in your miserable existence, stand up and fight for what you believe in. If you’re not prepared to do that, go crawl under a rock until Nov 5th…WE DON’T NEED YOU.
alwyr on September 25, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Soros… early August 08… $811 million. I believe that was why Nancy adjourned and left town. She did it when she was told to. There will be no drilling. Are we clear?
CC
CapedConservative on September 25, 2008 at 4:55 PM
It is nice that all of you fine people can tell me about MY Senator.. when you have Rangle still around, Murtha, and QUITE a few other whom we all KNOW have doen the same thing.
Cry me a river…
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Shell Frontier project. Google it.
Heating rods at 700 degrees F
Ice Wall.
Trillion barrels of oil.
No mining involved.
Thank you, come again
Sammy316 on September 25, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Just one of the many idiots in Washington, D.C.
Settle down.
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 4:57 PM
that requires barrels of water….. ;)
Limerick on September 25, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Great idea.
Dudley Smith on September 25, 2008 at 4:57 PM
i cry moose blood :P
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Thanks much :)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 4:59 PM
i cry moose blood :P
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 4:58 PM
———————-
Don’t tell Alcee Hastings.
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Why? Can I skin her and hang her to age her meat?
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Would you WANT to?
*considers eating*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I enjoy your theory and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
420sniper on September 25, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Don’t tell Alcee Hastings.
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Why? Can I skin her and hang her to age her meat?
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 5:00 PM
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Maybe so. I was thinking specifically of an oil field in Ft. Worth, Texas that was re-examined a few years and found to have “replenished” and non-biological theories were aired. I don’t know much about it save for the conversation about the possibilities of how that happened at the time.
Spirit of 1776 on September 25, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Now here’s a person who has no use for independence.
If you were a slave you would think that is okay because to be free would mean you have to think for yourself, fend for yourself, and you might make a mistake and get hurt.
You would rather pollute a world, then to drill environmentally here.
Wimp…
right2bright on September 25, 2008 at 5:02 PM
It happens more then people realize. That is all I am saying.
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Grue, I think Alcee would be tough and gamey…
Tastes like democrat.
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Say what? In-situ extraction means that holes are drilled into the shale, which is heated electrically to drive the oil out of the shale. The oil is then pumped to the surface, and the depleted shale is left in place. How does this “poison” pristine wilderness?
According to a 2005 report by the Rand Corporation, this could be done at an estimated cost of $30 per barrel. If this is up and running (might take years) on a large scale, the US would have more oil reserves than Saudi Arabia, and CONTROL THE MARKET. Allow about $10/barrel profit to the oil companies, and we go back to $40/barrel oil, for 100 years, and OPEC couldn’t do anything about it!
Definitely worth sending some trucks and wires into pristine wilderness. With horizontal drilling, they wouldn’t need a big footprint. Dirty Harry might want to reflect on how many more California tourists would come to his beloved Sin City if gasoline prices were under $2/gallon…
Steve Z on September 25, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Actually, I saw a couple on my way from CA to MD. Its a little freaky, and it took me a bit to figure out what was being hauled.
Count to 10 on September 25, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Sounds a bit like that newfangled relative moralism or situational ethics I’ve been reading so much about lately. It ain’t bad if someone else is also doing it?
a capella on September 25, 2008 at 5:04 PM
F the environment. It’s OUR world, and the horny tree frogs will just have to get over it.
marklmail on September 25, 2008 at 5:08 PM
So… the plan is suck the rest of the world dry, but never do anything here.
No qualms with the first part (well, except the whole “giving money to countries that hate us” part) but big reservations with the second. I’m more of an “all of the above” type person.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 5:08 PM
doesn’t Las Vegas count on cheap gas? why would people in Las Vegas for for Ried. they need to kick his butt out. He is one of the single biggest reasons for the downturn in Vegas.
unseen on September 25, 2008 at 5:09 PM
McCain needs to run against Congress in general and Reid/Pelosi in particular. He should also kinda/sorta run against the Bush admin, just enough to keep those valuable Clueless Voters pacified
McCain be ‘Harry Truman in 1948 meets Reagan in 1980′
Meanwhile, Obama is available if anyone needs him ( like one of the tools in your toolbox that you almost never need )
Janos Hunyadi on September 25, 2008 at 5:13 PM
The problem is, most people want to vote the bums out….but they LOVE their own reps….
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 5:13 PM
The Red Brigade teaching our civics classes.
Limerick on September 25, 2008 at 5:15 PM
What?
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 5:18 PM
I think it’s a Communist joke.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Harry Reid is an evil maggot.
texette on September 25, 2008 at 5:26 PM
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