Tomorrow the House Appropriations Committee will consider an amendment that lets states decide whether to allow energy exploration off their coasts. Some states would allow drilling if given the option, others might not. But if this measure became law, it could reduce gasoline prices and boost domestic supplies. Democrats, however, will likely vote to keep Washington in charge, and protect their friends in the environmental lobby. Right now a federal moratorium prohibits such offshore drilling. Last week Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.) offered an amendment to let individual states decide this question. The measure went down on a party-line vote, with all Democrats opposing it. The Peterson Amendment mirrors the position announced yesterday by Senator John McCain. McCain argued that this measure doesn’t “force” states to allow drilling; it only gives them the option. The Peterson/McCain position on offshore drilling receives strong public backing, according to a new Rasmussen poll. It finds 67 percent of Americans support offshore drilling, and 64 percent believe it will lower prices. Democrats–no doubt–will continue to protect environmental special interest groups and keep gasoline prices high by voting against the amendment tomorrow. Remind me again, who’s for change?
