Obama announces new oil drilling

Editor's Note:  Problem, Reaction, Solution.  The best way to get people to allow the criminal oil companies to start drilling in the Gulf again, without any significant safety improvements, is to hit them where it hurts.

Obama has previously vowed to cut US oil imports
© AFP/File Mira Oberman

AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - President Barack Obama, under pressure over high gasoline prices, Saturday committed to annual oil and gas lease sales in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve and to speeding up production in other areas.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, the US leader admitted that one of the biggest burdens for US consumers in recent months had been the high price of gasoline -- which is more than four dollars a gallon in some areas.

"These spikes in gas prices are often temporary, and while there are no quick fixes to the problem, there are a few steps we should take that make good sense," Obama said.

The president vowed to increase safe and responsible oil production from US resources, at the same time as enhancing safety and environmental standards.

US House votes to boost oil, gas drilling

Sun sets behind two under construction
offshore oil platform rigs in Port Fourchon
© AFP/File Saul Loeb

AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Amid a political war over painfully high gasoline prices, US President Barack Obama's Republican foes on Thursday pushed a bill to boost offshore oil drilling through the House of Representatives.

One year after a massive oil spill caused by an explosion on an offshore drilling rig devastated the Gulf of Mexico, more than 30 Democrats joined Republicans to approve the legislation by a 266-149 margin.

Obama's foes charged his energy policies doomed US voters to high gas prices that threaten the fragile US recovery, while Democrats accused Republicans of favoring profits for Big Oil over environmental concerns.