Accompanying stories:
July 31, 2006
Gulf Drilling Vote Imminent
Excerpts from article
With potentially several hundred million dollars at stake over several years, Alabama's congressional delegation, at the urging of Governor Bob Riley, has unanimously endorsed more drilling.
But there are many facets in the debate.. Some opponents question the environmental impact.
For now, Riley's office has not announced a preference, but his spokesman said the House bill would have more long term benefits to the Alabama Trust Fund, where oil and gas revenues are stashed.
"Either bill is more beneficial than the status quo." said Riley's spokesman Jeff Emerson. With fewer restrictions on where to drill, the House bill could open up waters closer to Baldwin County, but Emerson said the Governor has pledged to maintain a 15-mile buffer so the rigs are not visible from the beaches of Baldwin County. The Senate bill provides a 100-mile buffer.
Emerson said depending on the final law, Riley would consider using the new revenue on environmental restoration on the coast or hurricane evacuation routes.
end story
Another "fine idea for Alabamians" from our Governor.
Sounds to us like he would need all the money available for the environmental restoration on such a risky project, lest we forget the rig that washed into Mobile Bay a few years ago and dropped major toxins. Hurricane Katrina ripped the rig of it's moorings. Had it not been so close in.....
June 2, 2010
"The oil is going to come ashore," Riley said. "There's nothing between the oil and Dauphin Island."
But still, he has not approved the project......
RileyCGReviewHoldingUpSkimmingInMoblieBay
My family lives near the bay, we cannot believe what is happening to us and are furious with Riley's lack of immediate action.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the rig coming in from the hurricane; it was his fault for letting them set up so close to the shore.
Why anyone has any faith in anything he says is beyond my understanding....
Thanks for thinking of us in far south Alabama!