@ISIDEWITHQuestionsenvironmentStarted 13yrs agoActive 5 days ago

Should the U.S. expand offshore oil drilling?

In July 2022 the Biden administration issued a draft plan to expand oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. The proposal from the Department of the Interior recommends holding up to 10 lease sales in the Gulf over the next five years, as well as one sale in the Cook Inlet off the coast of south-central Alaska. Under the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the federal government must plan for offshore oil and gas leasing on a five-year basis. The previous plan was finalized under President Barack Obama in 2016, went into effect in 2017, and expired in 2022. Opponents inclu…  

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 10.9m America voters.

47%
Yes
53%
No
44%
Yes
39%
No
3%
Yes, and deregulate the energy sector to let the free market determine the best energy sources
8%
No, and provide more incentives for alternative energy production
4%
No, but maintain our current offshore oil wells
1%
No, end all offshore oil drilling
1%
No, and nationalize the energy sector

Historical Support

Trend of support over time for each answer from 10.9m America voters.

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Historical Importance

Trend of how important this issue is for 10.9m America voters.

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @8JCJLWV from Texas answered…4yrs4Y

Not enough knowledge to make an informed vote

 @6WS2R4W from Pennsylvania answered…4yrs4Y

Yes, but with very strict environmental regulations

 @96J29WM from Texas answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but with very strict environmental regulations

 @smowery65from Virginia answered…4yrs4Y

Yes. There are millions of gallons of oil off Cuba. If we were able to drill offshore of Cuba and refine and sell our own fuel here, we would no longer have to rely on the Middle East.

 @4S5T2QBfrom Pennsylvania answered…4yrs4Y

Are we being fair to the places we are taking it from?

 @4RG6QZPfrom Maine answered…4yrs4Y

Why? Do you need that so badly? Are American people out of oil? Or do you want only money? :D Then, no way. Find safer ways (and more friendly to environment) to earn your useless money.

 @9J24W5N from Florida answered…9mos9MO

I mean, we have to rely on fossil fuels for energy in our nation. Until we can integrate a more fuel efficient and a reusable resource, then we'll have to use fossil fuels as a crutch.

 @9D3RPBQfrom Guam answered…1yr1Y

No we must nationalise the energy sector and abolish capitalism

Latest News

Stay up-to-date on the most recent “Oil Drilling” news articles, updated frequently.

 @ISIDEWITH submitted…6mos6MO

Biden hits US oil drillers with first royalty rate increase in a century

The Biden administration has increased the cost of oil and gas drilling on public lands, raising royalty rates for the first time in a century as part of a sweeping crackdown on the industry ahead of November’s election. The Bureau of Land Management said on Friday it had finalised a rule to raise the royalties drillers must pay to the government for the first time since 1920 and the bonds needed to cover the cost of clean-ups for the first time since 1960. “These are the most significant reforms to the federal oil and gas leasing program in decades, and they will cut wasteful speculation, increase returns for the public, and protect taxpayers from being saddled with the costs of environmental clean-ups,” said Deb Haaland, interior secretary.The rule comes as President Joe Biden toughens his stance on fossil fuel producers in a bid to mobilise progressive voters in the run-up to this year’s presidential election. His administration also recently moved to restrict offshore drilling leases and froze permits for new liquefied natural gas infrastructure. But the royalty rise also comes as crude oil prices increase amid fears of supply disruptions due to turmoil in the Middle East — factors that have already pushed up US petrol prices and boosted inflation, just as Biden tries to sell his economic record to voters.Royalty rates will rise from 12.5 per cent to 16.67 per cent, in line with a change first mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden’s landmark climate law. Minimum bond requirements, used to pay for the clean-up of abandoned wells, will rise from $10,000 to $150,000 for an individual lease.Friday’s rule is the latest of several climate rules by federal agencies as Biden races to wrap up his regulatory agenda ahead of November’s vote.Friends of the Earth, an environmental group, said that while it supported the new royalty rate rise as a way to “curb financial giveaways to Big Oil”, the rule failed “to confront the massive tide of climate emissions stemming from [the interior department’s] leasing programme”.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…16hrs16H

Venezuela cancels passports of dozens of activists and journalists

Venezuela has cancelled the passports of dozens of journalists and activists since Nicolás Maduro claimed a re-election victory, part of what rights groups say is an intensifying campaign of repression against the authoritarian president’s opponents.At least 40 people — mostly journalists and human rights activists — have had their passports annulled without explanation, according to Caracas-based rights group Laboratorio de Paz, which warns that the number is likely to be much higher due to Venezuelans’ fear of reporting cases.Others have had their passports confiscated by authorities while attempting to board flights from the country’s main airport.“It was terrifying,” said one rights activist, whose passport was taken by authorities at the airport last week without explanation. He declined to give his name for fear of reprisals. “I knew it was a risk that I could have my passport taken or be jailed when I got to the airport, and they went with the former.”Carla, a journalist who chose not to give her surname, discovered while abroad that her passport had been cancelled.“I asked myself, ‘now where do I come from,’” said Carla, who is not sure whether she will try to return home.The cancellation of passports comes amid a wider campaign of repression in response to anti-government protests that broke out following an election verdict that has not been recognised by the Organization of American States, the US and the EU.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…2 days2D

Iran Warns to U.S. Allies Don’t Help Israel, or You’re Next

Tehran is threatening in secret diplomatic backchannels to target the oil-rich Arab Gulf states and other American allies in the Middle East if their territories or airspace are used for an attack on Iran, said Arab officials.Israel has threatened Tehran with a severe reprisal after Iran fired about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this month, with some Israeli officials and commentators pushing for damaging strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities or oil infrastructure. In that event, Iran has warned it would respond with devastating hits on Israel’s civilian infrastructure, and would retaliate against any Arab state that facilitated the attack, the officials said.The Arab officials said the countries that Iran has threatened include Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, all of which host U.S. troops. These states have told the Biden administration that they don’t want their military infrastructure or airspace to be used by the U.S. or Israel for any offensive operations against Iran, the officials said. While the Iranian threats are vague, they have raised concerns in energy-rich Persian Gulf states that their oil facilities—long viewed as protected by an American security umbrella—could be hit, the Arab officials said. U.S. military installations and forces in the region could also be at risk in a region with one of the highest concentrations of American troops in the world, they added.While the Iranian threats are vague, they have raised concerns in energy-rich Persian Gulf states that their oil facilities—long viewed as protected by an American security umbrella—could be hit, the Arab officials said. U.S. military installations and forces in the region could also be at risk in a region with one of the highest concentrations of American troops in the world, they added.

▲  4720 replies1 disagree