Gang of 10 offer stupid plan

Senator Kent Conrad | North Dakota reported A bipartisan coalition of senators led by Senator Kent Conrad today unveiled a sweeping energy proposal to reduce gas prices, lessen our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen America’s economy.

At least they see there is a problem, but this weak approach will not fix it.

... Senators working with Senator Conrad to develop the proposal include: Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.).... The New Era bill contains three main components:

• An intensive effort to transition vehicles to non-petroleum based fuels;

  Convert vehicles to an unreliable fuel surce just to hope it is there by the time they need it or disable our transportation system. Brilliant. Why not let the market free to develop on its own. If the fuel is there people wil figure out how to use it.

• a robust federal commitment to conservation and energy efficiency;

  High prices are doing that right now.

  and
• targeted, responsible domestic production of energy resources.
  • Provides a CO2 sequestration credit for use in enhanced oil recovery to increase production from existing oil wells while reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
    
  • Opens additional acreage in the Gulf of Mexico for leasing (in consultation with the Defense Department to ensure that drilling is done in a manner consistent with national security) and allows Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia to opt in to leasing off their shores.

    Allow drilling off both coasts and in Anwar.

    Retains an environmental buffer zone extending 50 miles offshore where new oil production will not be allowed.

    Stupid.

    Requires all new production to be used domestically.

    Transportation costs will take care of that.

    Creates a commission to make recommendations to Congress on future areas that should be considered for leasing.

    Allow drilling off both coasts and in Anwar

    Provides for appropriate revenue sharing for states that allow leasing off their shores;

    Te federal government should not be deciding what is appropriate for states to earn.

  • Provides grants and loan guarantees for the development of coal-to-liquid fuel plants with carbon capture capability. Plants must have lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions below those of the petroleum fuels they are replacing;

    You are going to make the plants responsible for how the fuel they produce is used?????

  • Supports nuclear energy by increasing staff at the NRC, providing workforce training, accelerating depreciation for nuclear plants, and supporting R&D on spent fuel recycling to reduce nuclear waste.

    Supporting nuclear power is good, but how about:

    • making it easier to get a permit
    • encouraging construction of new plants
    • Getting the storage facility in Nevada open and ready to store waste.

Ed Morrissey blogged Harry Reid, on his way out of town, issued a mildly supportive statement, and Nancy Pelosi hasn’t yet commented. This compromise could save the Democrats from their own leadership, and it represents a major rebellion against the hard-line demagoguery provided by Reid and Pelosi. This expansion represents a good start to restoring some common sense to American energy policy and marginalizing the radical environmentalists who have taken it hostage for a generation.