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Bush lifts offshore drilling ban | Bush lifts offshore drilling ban |
(about 4 hours later) | |
President George W Bush has lifted an executive ban on drilling for oil in most US coastal waters, and has urged lawmakers to follow suit. | President George W Bush has lifted an executive ban on drilling for oil in most US coastal waters, and has urged lawmakers to follow suit. |
He wants Congress to end its separate ban on drilling, in order to reduce US dependence on oil imports. | He wants Congress to end its separate ban on drilling, in order to reduce US dependence on oil imports. |
"Now the ball is squarely in Congress' court," he said, adding that it was "time for action". | "Now the ball is squarely in Congress' court," he said, adding that it was "time for action". |
Mr Bush's move comes as high oil prices have pushed US petrol prices to more than $4 (£2) per gallon. | Mr Bush's move comes as high oil prices have pushed US petrol prices to more than $4 (£2) per gallon. |
Mr Bush added: "The American people are watching the numbers climb higher and higher at the pump and they're waiting to see what the Congress will do." | Mr Bush added: "The American people are watching the numbers climb higher and higher at the pump and they're waiting to see what the Congress will do." |
His move will have no effect unless Congress acts as well. | His move will have no effect unless Congress acts as well. |
On Friday oil prices - which have been rising steeply during 2008 - touched new highs, peaking above $147 a barrel. | On Friday oil prices - which have been rising steeply during 2008 - touched new highs, peaking above $147 a barrel. |
Coastal concern | Coastal concern |
US energy needs are set to be a key issue in November's presidential election. | US energy needs are set to be a key issue in November's presidential election. |
Republican John McCain is in favour of offshore oil drilling, whereas his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, opposes it. | Republican John McCain is in favour of offshore oil drilling, whereas his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, opposes it. |
Environmentalists have reacted with alarm to Mr Bush's call, saying offshore drilling would take at least a decade to have any effect on oil supply and would exacerbate climate change. | Environmentalists have reacted with alarm to Mr Bush's call, saying offshore drilling would take at least a decade to have any effect on oil supply and would exacerbate climate change. |
And congressional Democratic leaders oppose ending the drilling ban. | And congressional Democratic leaders oppose ending the drilling ban. |
They point out that oil companies already have 68 million acres under government leases they can drill. | They point out that oil companies already have 68 million acres under government leases they can drill. |
"This proposal is something you'd expect from an oil company CEO, not the president of the United States," said Senator Barbara Boxer, a Democrat and chairwoman of the Senate Environment Committee. | "This proposal is something you'd expect from an oil company CEO, not the president of the United States," said Senator Barbara Boxer, a Democrat and chairwoman of the Senate Environment Committee. |
"The president is taking special-interest government to a new level and threatening our thriving coastal economy." | "The president is taking special-interest government to a new level and threatening our thriving coastal economy." |
Since 1981, a congressional moratorium has prohibited oil and gas drilling along the east and west coasts and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, an area accounting for some 80% of the US's outer continental shelf. | Since 1981, a congressional moratorium has prohibited oil and gas drilling along the east and west coasts and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, an area accounting for some 80% of the US's outer continental shelf. |
The executive drilling ban was issued in 1990 by the current president's father, President George H W Bush, and then extended by President Bill Clinton. | The executive drilling ban was issued in 1990 by the current president's father, President George H W Bush, and then extended by President Bill Clinton. |
Since then offshore drilling and exploration have only been allowed in the western and central regions of the Gulf of Mexico plus parts of Alaska. | Since then offshore drilling and exploration have only been allowed in the western and central regions of the Gulf of Mexico plus parts of Alaska. |
The federal bans were enacted in part to protect tourism and lessen the chance of oil spills washing on to beaches. | The federal bans were enacted in part to protect tourism and lessen the chance of oil spills washing on to beaches. |
Presidential election | Presidential election |
Mr Bush wants Congress to pass legislation to allow "responsible offshore exploration" and give states a say about whether drilling should be allowed. | Mr Bush wants Congress to pass legislation to allow "responsible offshore exploration" and give states a say about whether drilling should be allowed. |
Bush lifts ban on oil drilling | |
But Mr Obama's campaign condemned the move, saying: "It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from Washington for 30 years." | But Mr Obama's campaign condemned the move, saying: "It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from Washington for 30 years." |
It would be unlikely if Democrats in Congress backed a policy that contradicted their presidential candidate ahead of the November election. | It would be unlikely if Democrats in Congress backed a policy that contradicted their presidential candidate ahead of the November election. |
Republican contender John McCain, who changed his previous opposition to offshore drilling, said he thought the decision was a "very important signal" and that "states should continue to decide". | Republican contender John McCain, who changed his previous opposition to offshore drilling, said he thought the decision was a "very important signal" and that "states should continue to decide". |