Cite, cite, cite - the Merc Mantra!!!
Much if it can be explained in legislation the Democrats introduced last year to require existing leases to be explored or face losing them and/or before issuing new leases.
The current lease and potential production numbers are in there (68 million acres already leased and sitting idle.) I used ballpark figures.
Rahall to Big Oil: Use It or Lose It In an effort to compel oil and gas companies to produce on the 68 million acres of federal lands, both onshore and offshore, that are leased but sitting idle, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) today introduced legislation that gives Big Oil one option - either "use it or lose it."
Damn right...Use it or Lose it! (and lose the tax writes offs that come just by holding those leases) and stay away from national parks while other options (existing leases) are available.
The Republicans in the House defeated the
Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act ...
To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing new Federal oil and gas leases to holders of existing leases who do not diligently develop the lands subject to such existing leases or relinquish such leases, and for other purposes.
...last June, just in time to make "drill baby drill" a campaign slogan.
(BTW, the manner in which the Republicans, the minority party, defeated it, was because of Pelosi's loose House rules at the time....something her Republican predecessor would not have allowed with their old rules. She learned her lesson and the new rules this year, while much stricter, are still no where close to the restrictive Republican rules from 01-07.)
I expect the bill, or something like it, will be introduced again later this year as part of a broader Obama energy package that will include some drilling (on existing leases) and a much greater focus on both alternatives AND reducing demand (conserve, baby, conserve!)