Necessary Roughness

The next time your gas company reviews your budget pricing and wants to ramp it up another $30/month, you can thank the U.S. Senate.

The Washington Post reports that Sen. John Warner (R-VA) wanted to amend the Clean Energy Act of 2007 to allow Virginia to get federal authorization for exploration and drilling off its own shores.

The amendment failed, 43-44 with 12 abstentions. Ohio’s senators voted along party lines.

The Democratic party seems resolute with its energy bill to mandate lighter and more dangerous cars through fuel economy increases.

Here’s the fun quote by Senator Frank Lautenburg (D-MA):

“An oil spill off the Virginia coast could easily devastate the shoreline of our state and states up and down the Eastern Seaboard,” Lautenberg said.

Huh? Let’s check that amendment text:

AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To authorize the State of Virginia to petition for authorization to conduct natural gas exploration and drilling activities in the coastal zone of the State.

Call me when a natural gas leak washes up on the shores of Massachusetts.