John Culberson's ANWR OCS Solution

Culberson's recent mailer advocates drilling in The Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, Gulf Coast, Outer Continental Shelf, and the Mountain West.

ANWR
The Arctic Natural Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is a place of ancient wilderness that remains the same as it was at the end of the last ice age. It contains only a small percentage of our energy needs. Lifting the ban on drilling in this wild-life habitat would have a minute impact on the price of oil. The small gain would not be worth the destruction. Drilling in ANWR would take 10 years to have any effect on the price of fuel.

OCS
Drilling for oil in the environmentally sensitive Outer Continental Shelf will not help reduce the price of fuel. It would not have an impact until the year 2030.

The below quote is from a Truth Out article titled, Drilling Without Oil, Tax Cuts Without Growth. It is taken from within the context of Senator McCain's energy policy. It applies equally well to John Culberson policy, however.

"Of course, Senator McCain knows the amount of oil potentially available offshore in environmentally sensitive areas is too small to have a noticeable impact on prices and that it will take a decade before we even see a drop."

Despite the substantial crude oil and natural gas contained in the Outer Continental Shelf, drilling in this area will not substantially effect the price of oil and natural gas. It would not substaintially raise the production of oil and natural gas compared to what is expected to be produced in other areas with the ban in place.

"Mean estimates from the MMS indicate that technically recoverable resources currently off limits in the lower 48 OCS total 18 billion barrels of crude oil and 77 trillion cubic feet of natural gas..."

"The projections in the OCS access case indicate that access to the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf regions would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030. Leasing would begin no sooner than 2012, and production would not be expected to start before 2017. "

Drilling in environmentally sensitive areas in an attempt to lower energy prices isn't going to work.

Sites of Interest for Further Reading and Information Used in this Blog:
Center for American Progress
Natural Resources Defense Council
The Energy Information Administration
Progressive Punch

Happy Hour at The Meteor

Members of the Caucus will be on hand for happy hour at The Meteor, 2306 Gennesee, Thursday, July 31st, 7-9pm.

Texas Republican Party Convention

I read in OutSmart about the Texas Republican Party Convention. Yes, according to the Republican Party Platform, they officially hate the GLBT community, literally:

"We believe that the practice of homosexuality tears at the fabric of society, contributes to the breakdown of the family unit, and leads to the spread of dangerous, communicable diseases. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths that have been ordained by God, recognized by our Country's founders, and shared by the majority of Texans. Homosexuality must not be presented as an acceptable 'alternative' lifestyle in our public education and policy, nor should 'family' be redefined to include homosexual 'couples.' We are opposed to any granting of legal special entitlements, refuse to recognize, or grant special privileges including, but not limited to: marriage between persons of the same sex (regardless of state of origin), custody of children by homosexuals, homosexual partner insurance or retirement benefits. We oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values."

"We oppose the legislation of sodomy. We demand that Congress exercise its authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to withhold jurisdiction from the federal courts from cases involving sodomy."

"We oppose mandatory open adoption and adoption by homosexuals."

The Texas Democratic Party Convention was held June 6-8 in Austin. It yielded a platform more enlightened on these issues; inspiring really. It drew upon the principles of liberty and equality envisioned by the founders of this great republic. Read about it in OutSmart.

Special Election for State Senate District 17

The Burnt Orange Report has an interesting story on the Special Election for State Senate District 17. Chris Bell is having his kick-off party at his new campaign headquarters July 20th. Lets help him with his bid for this Senate seat, and help the Democrats paint Texas blue.

Republican Kyle Janek officially resigned. Governor Perry will probably call the special election to fill this seat for November 4th.

Ellen Cohen

On November 7th, 2006, Ellen Cohen was elected Texas House Representative for District 134. This District includes Bellaire, West University Place, River Oaks and parts of Meyerland and Montrose. It includes Rice University and Texas Medical Center.

Texas House of Representative Bio

Ellen Cohen has received a lengthy and impressive list of awards and endorsements. She served as executive director of the American Jewish Committee. She founded Reach to Recovery of Canada. In 2005, she was honored by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as an outstanding contributor to civil and human rights in Houston.

Ellen Cohen's official website

As CEO of the Houston Area Women's Center, Ellen Cohen worked to help victims of sexual violence. This is a $5.5 million dollar, 120 person staff organization serving over six thousand women, children and men.

wikipedia on Ellen Cohen

She stepped down as CEO effective December 31st, 2007.
Texas Politics: Ellen Cohen



Numerous organizations have endorsed Ellen, including the Houston GLBT Political Caucus PAC.

John Culberson

According to OpenSecrets.org, Center for Responsive Politics, John Culberson has received $67,750 from the Oil and Gas industry for this election cycle.

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00009738

Oil

I recently received a mailing from John Culberson, member of the US House of Representatives for Texas's 7th district. It promises that more drilling in Texas or other parts of the US will lower gas prices and help to make America energy independent. We must "drill here, drill now" the mailing informs me, "...and we will pay less."

Unfortunately, America has already reached its "Oil Peak" and will be in decline as an oil producer not matter how many wells are drilled. US oil production peaked in 1970. This is according to The Long Emergency, by James Howard Kunstler. In addition to the US Oil Peak, there is Global Oil Peak. We may have already reached that point judging by oil selling at $140 per barrel.

According to wikipedia, "Peak oil is the point in time when the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_Oil

In order to survive the "Long Emergency" that will be brought about by the global depletion of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal we need an energy policy that is forward thinking. Our society needs to invest in new technologies that will create many jobs; including technical jobs.

Is it cognitive dissonance that prevents us from preparing for the future? According to Carl Jung, people cannot stand too much reality.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Jung