Rusted Sky

That there's no real concern about oil in the US, judging by this.

Senate panel retains oil-shale moratorium : Nation : The Rocky Mountain News

The Senate Appropriations Committee today narrowly defeated Sen. Wayne Allard's attempt to end a moratorium related to oil shale development in Colorado.

It was a big day for Colorado energy issues on Capitol Hill as Gov. Bill Ritter testified before a senate committee asking lawmakers to move cautiously on oil-shale development until more is known about the environmental impact and other issues.

Meanwhile downstairs, the appropriations committee was considering a massive Emergency Supplemental Spending Bill. Allard, a member of the committee, attempted to insert an amendment that would reverse the moratorium that lawmakers approved late last year.

The moratorium prevents the Department of Interior from issuing regulations so that oil companies can move forward on oil-shale projects in Colorado and Utah. Allard said the moratorium has left uncertainties at a time when companies need to move forward and in the long term make the United States more energy independent.

After all, if there were a real oil shortage, we'd be drilling wherever the oil was. Wouldn't we?

"If we are really serious about reducing pain at the pump, this is a vote that would make a difference in people's lives," Allard argued.

But in a 14-15 vote, the committee spilt strictly on party lines and rejected the amendment.

Maybe not.

This would seem to be the attitude of the Democrats as far as actually DOING anything about the energy crisis goes.

Actually, they've got a plan. Here it is.

1. Raise taxes on oil company profits
2. Then a miracle occurs.
3. The price of oil drops.

See? Well thought out, very simple, and certain to work.

However - 'work' can have so many meanings...
J.