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Louisiana Federal Judge Blocks Drilling Moratorium

eldavojohn writes "In the ongoing BP debacle, the Obama administration imposed a six-month moratorium on offshore drilling and a halt to 33 exploratory wells going into the Gulf of Mexico. Now a federal judge (in New Orleans, no less) is unsatisfied with the reasons for this and stated, 'An invalid agency decision to suspend drilling of wells in depths of over 500 feet simply cannot justify the immeasurable effect on the plaintiffs, the local economy, the Gulf region, and the critical present-day aspect of the availability of domestic energy in this country.' The state's governor agrees on the grounds that blocking drilling will cost the state thousands of lucrative jobs." The government quickly vowed to appeal, pointing out that a moratorium on 33 wells is unlikely to have a devastating impact in a region hosting 3,600 active wells. And reader thomst adds this insight on the judge involved in the case: "Yahoo's Newsroom is reporting that the judge who overturned the drilling moratorium holds stock in drilling companies. You can view his financial disclosure forms listing his stock holdings online at Judicial Watch (PDF)."

4 of 691 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I'm fine with this ruling... by GeneralEmergency · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Next to what Obama has saddled both you and I with skyrocketing national debt, this will cost me very little.

    The Mississippi River pours as much water into the Gulf of Mexico in -38 seconds- as the BP oil leak has done in two months.

    You are displaying classic liberal exaggeration syndrome.

    Perhaps you would be more comfortable running in circles, loosing feathers, clucking "The Oil is FALLING! The Oil is FALLING!".

    Grow up. Travel some. Learn that numbers mean things.

    --
    "A microprocessor... is a terrible thing to waste." --
    GeneralEmergency
  2. Re:So? by gandhi_2 · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    BP should pay for their mistakes, but they shouldn't have to pay workers not to work due to a government decision.

  3. Re:The Economist's opinion by bendodge · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    News flash: The United States is still inexorably reliant on its oil industry. If the Obama administration wants to do something about future oil disasters, maybe it should think more seriously about that and what can be done about it. Also, had government done a better job of regulating the oil industry in the first place, BP's shoddy practices might not have gone unchecked and this disaster might never have happened.

    You have too much faith. Sadly, Obama's administration cares nothing about future oil disasters. The point is that one should never let a crisis go to waste.

    --
    The government can't save you.
  4. Re:So? by flyneye · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
    There is no good reason to not continue, other than some haint jumping around hollering "booga, booga, booga, if you drill it will spill, be afraid and trust me and the democrats to fix your problem and combat your fears. Don't worry we will tell you when to be afraid."
    Truthfully we could use both the jobs and the oil .
    We could also stand to lose some morons with blind faith in government.

    --
    *Repent!Quit Your Job!Slack Off!The World Ends Tomorrow and You May Die!