WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush lifted a White House ban on offshore drilling on Monday to try to drive down soaring energy prices, said a Reuters report. With prices at the pump over $4 a gallon, Bush pushed the Democratic-controlled Congress to expand offshore oil and natural gas drilling and give companies access to the Arctic Wildlife National Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska despite fierce opposition from environmentalists.
"With this action, the executive branch's restrictions on this exploration have been cleared away," Bush said. "This means the only thing standing between the American [image-nocss] people and these vast oil resources is action from the U.S. Congress."
Congress too has a ban on offshore drilling and while it expires on September 30, it could be renewed, making Bush's move largely symbolic. Additionally, government officials say it would take years for any oil to be produced in those areas. "Now the ball is squarely in Congress' court," Bush told reporters in the White House Rose Garden. "The time for action is now." He urged Congress to pass legislation to facilitate "responsible offshore exploration" and give states a say in whether drilling occurs.
High gasoline prices and soaring food prices have irked American consumers in a presidential election year.
Democratic leaders in Congress and environmentalists immediately condemned the move as having no short-term impact on soaring oil prices.
White House spokesperson Dana Perino said initially the president wanted to move in concert with Congress, but decided to go ahead alone after being rebuffed by Democratic leaders and because of a relentless upward rise in energy prices.
Democratic White House hopeful Senator Barack Obama's campaign quickly condemned the move. "It would merely prolong the failed energy policies we have seen from Washington for 30 years," spokesperson Bill Burton said.
Even if more Democrats in Congress backed lifting the ban, it would be unlikely they would buck their presidential candidate ahead of the November election.
Republican White House contender Sen. John McCain, who reversed his previous opposition to offshore drilling, told reporters that he thought the decision was a "very important signal" and that "states should continue to decide."Click herefor full text of the president's Rose Garden news conference.Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.