Posted on 11/20/2005 3:31:29 PM PST by wagglebee
Citing the need for America to achieve energy independence as well as aid poor and minority households already suffering from rising heating bills, activists with the black leadership network Project 21 are speaking out in favor of oil and natural gas exploration efforts under consideration for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
The U.S. Senate approved legislation on November 9 to allow oil drilling on approximately 2,000 acres - or 0.01 percent - of ANWR's 19.6 million acres. The House of Representatives is expected to consider similar legislation as early as this week. Drilling on this small and desolate portion of ANWR is expected to generate $2.5 billion in government revenue, create a significant number of new jobs nationwide and recover between 4.3-11.8 billion barrels of oil. OCS-related legislation in the House would allow states to "opt out" of federal moratoriums that currently prohibit offshore oil and gas production.
A small group of Republican congressmen are attempting to block any provision that would allow oil and natural gas exploration in both ANWR and the OCS.
"Home heating bills are expected to be higher than usual this winter. People can choose not to drive their car when fuel prices are high, but they shouldn't have to choose not to turn on the heat to keep their family warm," said Project 21 member Deneen Moore. "Low-income households unable to afford rising heating bills might resort to unsafe alternatives. Drilling in ANWR, for example, would be essential to helping alleviate the high cost of energy in the U.S., create jobs and help America become less dependent on foreign oil."
If new sources of energy are not found and utilized, minority households will be forced to spend a greater percentage of their budgets to keep their homes warm. The U.S. Department of Energy recently projected that heating costs will soar this winter. The cost of heating a home with natural gas is expected to increase by 32 percent increase; with heating oil, 26 percent.
Based on 2004 median income figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, the average black household using natural gas for heat can expect to pay one percent more of their income (from 3.2 percent to 4.2 percent) and Hispanics 0.9 percent more (2.8 to 3.7 percent) for home heating while their white counterparts will only be paying 0.6 percent more (two percent to 2.6 percent). Heating oil users will experience almost exactly the same percentage change but will pay a larger portion of their incomes (4.2 to 5.3 percent for blacks, 3.7 to 4.6 for Hispanics and 2.6 to 3.2 for whites) to stay warm.
This inequity further depresses minority prospects for investing, paying for higher education and contributing to retirement savings plans and further hinders socio-economic advancement.
"The prospect of keeping warm this winter costing so much more than the rate of inflation should offend every American family, but its impact on this country's working poor borders the criminal,” said Project 21’s John Meredith, who is active in several community-based non-profit groups. “How can a nation so rich and powerful justify forcing families to choose between staying warm and eating? We can't. Opening ANWR to exploration is the only humane thing to do."
Which is exactly what the left wants.
Black conservative ping.
Can there be a bigger crime for a black person to commit? I don't think so.
Take all committee appointments and perks away from these idiots.
"A small group of Republican congressmen are attempting to block any provision that would allow oil and natural gas exploration in both ANWR and the OCS."
Well, yes, but what about the HUGE group of dems trying to block this? BTW, I wonder what the Congressional Black Caucus has to say about this defection of blacks from the liberal "plantation"?
As far as many on the left are concerned, this is the ONLY crime a black can commit.
Do you think some black democrats will change their vote because of this?
This is an intersting and positive developement. I wish it could get more press.
Bump!
Take all committee appointments and perks away from these idiots.
I sent an e-mail to Charlie Bass (NH), my congressman who is one of those idiots, several days ago. Haven't heard anything back. He gave an interview on a Boston radio station, stating that he and his buddies were going to change the Capitol leadership. What a jerk!
Good for you, and yes they are jerks.
John McCain helped set the example didn't he.
More bad news for the Dems that they and the media will ignore untill they hold the next election.
Black Americans wanting to do something right for America instead of for the Democratic party.
Bad news indeed
Gotta Love Project 21 !!!
Ummm what about the LARGE group of 'Rats who are opposing it?
That's the democrat view, and I support them being idiots.
I don't support a small minority on our side trying to win issues for democrats.
Who are these Republicans and why in the world would they try to block this? I don't understand. Is it just because it's both ANWR and the OCS? And if it is, then what in the world is wrong with exploration in both?
And a big high five to the Black Activists Supporting increased domestic oil exploration! I think it's a good thing for all of us.
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