Sen. Collins Opposes ANWR & Offshore Drilling

Press Release of Senator CollinsSENATOR COLLINS OPPOSES ANWR DRILLING
Contact: Elissa Davidson or Amy Swanstrom
Wednesday, March 16, 2005Washington, D.C. - Senator Susan Collins today voted in favor of an amendment presented by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to remove provisions in the budget that would allow for drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Senator Collins pointed out that our nation can best reduce our dependence on foreign oil by simply increasing conservation and developing alternative technologies, rather than depleting our nation’s last major oil reserves.“America needs to increase fuel supplies and decrease demand, but in our effort to meet current energy needs, we should not use up our last major reserves,” Senator Collins said. “If we begin drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge now, we will be wasting resources that should rightfully be available for future generations. If we increase energy efficiency and further develop alternative energy sources, we can effectively reduce our reliance on foreign oil, save consumers money, and protect the environment.”Last month, Senator Collins encouraged the Senate Budget Committee to exclude ANWR drilling from the Fiscal Year 2006 budget. In her letter, Senator Collins requested that the issue of opening the Refuge to drilling be addressed in an energy bill, rather than inappropriately including it in the budget.Since coming to Congress in 1997, Senator Collins has consistently opposed efforts that would allow for drilling at ANWR. The amendment introduced by Senator Cantwell failed by a vote of 49-51.###http://collins.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=233922[ 03-23-2005: Message edited by: Editor ]

Susan, shut up, before I say something we'll both regret!Get those drills runnin'!

How about building a new refinery or two? How about one in Maine?

We've been hearing this same old BS about alternate sources since the peanut vendor was in the white house Susan. How can you say you represent Maine with oil and gas prices going thru the roof while you pontificate from your ivory tower. :mad:

I fail to see how a thinking person can be this wrong consistently. :eek:

I want to hear Olympia next. She and Susan are generally in lock-step with each other, and I know she opposes drilling. Come on, Snowe, speak up, and remind a lot of people why they shouldn't vote for you next year!

Of course, if Silly Susan and Olive Oil were to put on their thinking cap, like James said, and really think, they would know that what needs to be done is sell this asset, and use the proceeds to pay government debt, or to cut taxes etc.But this is never entered in the debate. How much money do they get from enviromental NGO's by the way? Enough to keep them in office? It would be nice to know how much they get, and what these NGO's get in return. Absolutely mind-boggling!!!!!!

Senator, can your constituents please see a listing of the ways in which you are using alternative energy sources in your daily life?skf

quote:Originally posted by Editor:
Senator, can your constituents please see a listing of the ways in which you are using alternative energy sources in your daily life?skf

Well; SURRRRRRR-Prize!!! And which, pray tell, of said "alternative energy sources" would our illustrious Queens of Infanticide tolerate, much less support? Can't have nuclear, can we?
That scrambles our DNA for hundreds of miles downwind and cases our women to give birth to two-headed wart hogs and such, doesn't it?
I think the same "Scientists" who figured that out had a lot to do with "Global Warming", too, didn't they? Windmills are not all that aesthetically pleasing, we are told, and they go around and around and whack the poor little tweetie birds every so often. Anathema! Solar? In Maine? Like; RIIIiiiiiight! LP gas is obviously not happening here; it will shurely blow us all to smithereens, eventually. We can't denude our forest land (most of which seems to be owned by the State anyway) to heat with wood; besides, the smoke might corrupt our environment. I guess if the woods catch fire and a few hundred thousand acres are reduced to ash and charcoal, that's OK though. Lemmie see; that leaves hydro. I think some miniscule percentage of our electricity comes from hydro, but those dams pose problems for migrating fish and such, and I understand that getting licences to run them are quite costly.
I don't think that we'd ever get permission to build any new ones. Can anyone think of ANY significant energy source that our enviros, Commiocrats and RINOS will tolerate? I wonder if our watermellon friends would protest nearly as stridently if (perhaps "when", at this point) the rights to ANWR were sold off to Russia or Communist China for THEM to drill the hell out of it? Wanna bet? I strongly suspect that had Gore or Hanoi John successfully stolen the past couple of elections, one of those Nations would already be drilling there and piping it out to the Pacific for shipment West. Unfortunately, I don't see any elective Senatorial options other than lifetime incumbancy for the RINO Sisters or Sociocrats in their place for the forseeable future.

I'm not too sure that we'd notice much of a difference, really. But just try to run a Conservative Republican opponent against either one of them in a primary, and see what happens.

Collins is clueless!
Snowe too.They claim to "represent" MAINE, a northernmost
state in the Snow Belt, heavily dependent on OIL
for our heat - and they both vote against a plan
to produce more oil in America?????They claim to "represent" MAINE, a large state with
basically NO public transportation system, heavily
dependent on private cars & trucks & (gasp) SUVs for
getting around - and they both vote against a plan
to produce more oil in America?????They claim to "represent" MAINE, a largely blue-collar,
working-peoples' state, heavily dependent on trucks
we use to haul tools, supplies, lobster traps, etc.
and they want higher CAFE standards for these vehicles;
yet they both vote against a plan to produce
more oil in America?????
Did I say the RINOs Snowe and Collins are WORTHLESS????

CNN.com
March 9, 2005Bush renews call for Alaskan oil drilling as oil prices spikeCOLUMBUS, Ohio (CNN) — With oil prices nearing last year's record highs, President Bush renewed his call for Congress to authorize oil exploration in Alaska's largest wildlife refuge as part of a broader energy bill.In a speech Tuesday in Ohio, Bush urged lawmakers to pass the energy bill that has stalled in Congress since the beginning of his first term, saying it would wean the United States away from overseas sources of crude.“We have had four years of debate about a national energy bill. Now's the time to get the job done,” he said.-----The rising prices have prompted new calls by several senators for Bush to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and put off new purchases for the stockpile.“We're asking that this be done, and I don't think we have much choice,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York. “The economy seems to be going along nicely now. But if you ask any economist what's the No. 1 thing that could stop it, it's oil prices.”Bush has rejected previous calls to ease price spikes by releasing oil from the reserve, which he says should be left intact for national emergencies.But Schumer said tapping the oil reserve would be a money-making proposition for the government, since it would be releasing crude into the market when prices are high and could buy back those stockpiles when prices come down. And Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, said Bush's refusals amount to “a gift to the oil companies.”“Taxpayers are paying to fill the SPRO with the highest prices ever,” she said. “That makes no sense while our consumers are facing this madness at the pump.”At least one Republican — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, whose state has a large number of heating oil consumers — joined six Democratic senators in signing a letter to Bush.Full story
http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/03/09/bush.energy/

The Post-Standard
Syracuse.com
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Gas prices up 21 cents a gallon in a year
Schumer, 17 other senators want cache tapped to hold down gasoline prices.
By Kenn Peters
Staff writerSen. Charles Schumer Wednesday called on President Bush to release up to 60 million gallons of oil from the federal reserve as a way of controlling gas prices at the pump.Schumer, D-N.Y., called for 30 million gallons to be released immediately, and another 30 million gallons in April if OPEC doesn't react to the first release by cutting prices.Bush…said…the answer is a long-range energy plan that includes drilling in an Arctic wildlife refuge.Schumer, who wrote a letter to Bush signed by 18 senators, including Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the strategic oil reserve is a weapon that must be used.The letter Schumer and Collins wrote to Bush warned of the consequences of not taking action to stop the rising cost of gas.“If left unchecked this summer, the high gasoline prices will continue to burden our economy by taking desperately needed money out of the hands of working families and placing it into the pockets of OPEC,” the letter said.Full Story

quote:Originally posted by Editor:
The Post-Standard
Syracuse.com
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Gas prices up 21 cents a gallon in a year
Schumer, 17 other senators want cache tapped to hold down gasoline prices.
By Kenn Peters
Staff writerSen. Charles Schumer Wednesday called on President Bush to release up to 60 million gallons of oil from the federal reserve as a way of controlling gas prices at the pump.Schumer, D-N.Y., called for 30 million gallons to be released immediately, and another 30 million gallons in April if OPEC doesn't react to the first release by cutting prices.Bush…said…the answer is a long-range energy plan that includes drilling in an Arctic wildlife refuge.Schumer, who wrote a letter to Bush signed by 18 senators, including [b]Susan Collins, R-Maine, said the strategic oil reserve is a weapon that must be used.The letter Schumer and Collins wrote to Bush warned of the consequences of not taking action to stop the rising cost of gas.“If left unchecked this summer, the high gasoline prices will continue to burden our economy by taking desperately needed money out of the hands of working families and placing it into the pockets of OPEC,” the letter said.Full Story[/b]

Chuckie would much rather have that money put into his greedy hands to spend on some worthwhile entitlement program, no doubt.

China to Surpass U.S. Fuel Economy Standards.
Bush Inaction cost U.S. $12 Billion last year.You Go Girls! Collins and Snowe do us proudThere's always another side.

quote: “America needs to increase fuel supplies and decrease demand, but in our effort to meet current energy needs, we should not use up our last major reserves,” Senator Collins said. “If we begin drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge now, we will be wasting resources that should rightfully be available for future generations. If we increase energy efficiency and further develop alternative energy sources, we can effectively reduce our reliance on foreign oil, save consumers money, and protect the environment.”

I'm not a Collins defender by any means, but I think some posters are being unfair to her here. Reading the above quote, it seems she is making an argument not from the enviro point of view, but but from the point of view that says we should use up other's oil reserves before we deplete all of our own. I don't agree, but her point has more merit than the enviro-nut position that I expect Olympia! holds.Her points about energy efficiency and alternative energy are nonsense. Even at today's elevated oil prices, alternative energy is still not price competetive. Energy efficiency has never resulted in reduction of energy use. We just do more with the energy and demand continues to increase.

This is to be expected from both Collins and Snowe. They care not for the little man. They run with the big time crowd.
Bud

Ther are two forces operating here..real political fear of the environmental left, and green religion. Both forces are in play with our Senators. Olympia has made a cold and clear political calculation, as has Susan to a somewhat lesser extent. The primary motivator for Susan is green religion...she is a true believer.

ah yes the far right "sheeple " have all the answers.
fact=republican leadership
since nixon's time high fuel prices are linked with deficit spending.
will your good friends in "texas" explain to you experts in maine that it's a simple way to raise taxes for the federal budget.you see gas price increases also mean increase taxes per gallon at the pump.
and prehaps we could get a list of the companies
that are doing business in india and china;with off shore offices to avoid paying their share of taxes. and how much that has and will increase the price of fuel in "maine"
how fast we on the right "howl" about fuel and heating oil prices;while we elect the very people
who insist on slowing production of alternate sources of energy.
if any of you in here were serious about energy
you'd spend the time "you rant" asking your representatives to present a "bill" insisting on
"hy-bryd" vechicles that get at least 40mpg.
of bio-disel fuel plants, of procuring all waste oil;be it cooking,or from engine waste to be reprocessed.
instead you prefer to stand on the sidelines,
rant in a coffeee shop or forum while "patting yourself" on the back and leaving the fox in office to guard the chicken coop.
really in all honesty do you think that "bush" sees "anwar" as anything but $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
signs?p.s.100,000 acres of virgin ocean front property
for sale;below wholesale!!
contact:tom-delie
:"everready -cheaty
:conga -jane
tel. 1-800-5333-868
i-8oo-ilie-tou
:D ;) :p :confused:
what a waste of energy!!!!!!!!!1

quote:Originally posted by justme:
ah yes the far right "sheeple " have all the answers.
fact=republican leadership
since nixon's time high fuel prices are linked with deficit spending.
will your good friends in "texas" explain to you experts in maine that it's a simple way to raise taxes for the federal budget.you see gas price increases also mean increase taxes per gallon at the pump.
and prehaps we could get a list of the companies
that are doing business in india and china;with off shore offices to avoid paying their share of taxes. and how much that has and will increase the price of fuel in "maine"
how fast we on the right "howl" about fuel and heating oil prices;while we elect the very people
who insist on slowing production of alternate sources of energy.
if any of you in here were serious about energy
you'd spend the time "you rant" asking your representatives to present a "bill" insisting on
"hy-bryd" vechicles that get at least 40mpg.
of bio-disel fuel plants, of procuring all waste oil;be it cooking,or from engine waste to be reprocessed.
instead you prefer to stand on the sidelines,
rant in a coffeee shop or forum while "patting yourself" on the back and leaving the fox in office to guard the chicken coop.
really in all honesty do you think that "bush" sees "anwar" as anything but $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
signs?

Take an economics class for your ignorance and some prozac for your paranoia just me.

Uncle Jaque wrote:"I wonder if our watermellon friends would protest nearly as stridently if (perhaps "when", at this point) the rights to ANWR were sold off to Russia or Communist China for THEM to drill the hell out of it?"We should be so lucky as to SELL Russia drilling rights. Bill Clinton GAVE Russia the biggest oil deposit we had. It's in the Wrangell Islands and is bigger than the North Slope ever was.

Speaking of fears and religions, it's fair to accept that people have deep, well-based fears their natural resource heritage is being sold for corporate profits all around, by those who gained power actually cloaked in religion.It's not much good for those who fear thoughtful responsible environmental stewardship to resort to economic arguments that lack any intellectual substance - while relying solely upon condemnation and stigmata.

Jon - A true believer walks the walk, don't they? My question to Sens. Collins and Snowe remain. I want to know how they are using alternative energy in their daily lives. Hybrid cars? Soybean oil diesel? Wind power? Solar power? Fans not air-conditioning in their Senate offices? Cars? Homes?skf

For me Susan's true believer status was revealed when she took to the Senate floor in late November 2000, some 10 days after the Atlantic salmon were added to the endangered species list and the economy of Washington County was dealt a devastating blow. She stated that she supported the endangered species act.Since then she has backed every green advocacy effort she possibly could.

Wind Power on Mars Hill!Atlantic Salmon Restored to the Machias!Such irresponsibility.We need our Senators to begin to reflect real Maine values.

Woodsman -That's what happens when I get behind in my news reading. The last I heard, Maine enviro groups were opposing the Mars Hill wind power project. And how many Atlantic Salmon have been restored in the Machias River?Thank you.skf

As far as I know, the principal Maine environmental actors divided on Mars Hill -Natural Resources Council endorsed it.
Maine Audubon held out for better design and some bird mortality impact studies on the grounds that good precedent for future similar development was needed. As I recall, larger, slow-turning wheels with non-perch tower designs resulted from some of the early interactions in the permitting process.
I think it is on track and maybe only needs submission and approval of the bird impact studies.Salmon? It took 400 years to bring them down. I don't think there's any recovery yet at all, and some indications of further declines. It will take some time to bring them back if at all.I don't think anybody knows enough about the problem. I know salmon fairly well north of here. I saw the early impact of DDT, then the Greenland fishery and then the low water impacts of extensive clearcutting.
Some northern rivers are hanging on, so it may well be that good habitat management - which will have broad wildlife benefits as well - will produce something over time.
In my view, the side benefits Downeast, a very special, resource-decimated region, will have value all by themselves. That's a matter of values, of course. I base my conclusion on the strength and productivity of the economic engine associated with Acadia Park. Downeast has those same wheels, I think: private ownership coupled with well-tended environment. As opposed to the New Jersey pattern.Lansky's piece has some good habitat material in it:
Lansky on Salmon(You might find his graphs of tree ring histories interesting - towards the end, I think.)

quote: ...low water impacts of clearcutting...

Could you please explain?

So our two notorious RINO hags side with democrats and enviro-nazis ... once again.And this is surprising because ...? :roll: If anyone knows of ANYONE who wants to run against Snowe and/or Collins (only I don't think her time is up yet), please let me know. I will devote money (within my financial capability) and time to get rid of these two smug, self-centered, traitorous b***[ 03-22-2005: Message edited by: Lucille ]

Here are some interesting facts for the group on ANWR:1. ANWR was re-established and enlarged in 1980 by congress and the 8% known as area 1002 was set aside with the express purpose of energy development.2. So, how big is 8%? ANWR itself is 19 million acres. Million, with an "M". 8 % of which is 1.5 million acres.3. Less than 2000 acres will be needed to develop the oil, less than 1/2 of 1%.Source: Lewiston Sun-Journal Website, registration required.

Fast spring runoff, and reduced shade as forest cover was extensively and intensively harvested in the '60 - '80 period in the salmon watersheds I'm familiar with (all Canadian), produced some additional stresses on salmon migrating upriver to spawn.In years with low summer precipitation, the streams and pools often reached dry, hot conditions which appeared to delay and interfere with successful spawning.I think the stream buffers now in place will reduce these effects in the future.It's not entirely that simple - there's a lot of understanding and mathematical models related to watershed hydrology, forest cover, stream siltation,. . . that cover a lot of special factors and it's not fair to generalize. (In the same way that there are diverse mathematical models in the field of econometrics or weather and all kinds of special cases there.)But, like the great depression and the ice storm - some things we know because we were there. Pools that produced 5 pound sea-run brook trout in the '50's became dry gravel beds in the dry years of the '70's.Because of the diversity of private land ownership and management approaches in Maine, the uniform vast clearcuts typical of crown lands in eastern Canada in those years didn't happen here.
Hopefully, the conservative forest management now motivated by a desire to support salmon recovery in Maine, will contribute very broadly to enriched riparian and forest wildlife habitat for many species.May I stress the word "conservative"? If it's "Conservative" it just has to be good, don't you know it.
Conservation by conservatives is the topic, right?
Such a concept.
;)