A Step in the Right Direction

Yesterday, President Bush announced that he was lifting an executive ban that has prevented offshore drilling for nearly two decades. The lifting of the ban, which was put into place by the former President Bush in 1990, represents a step in the right direction towards lower gas prices and American energy independence.

However, the executive ban is not the only obstacle in the way of increased domestic production. A Congressional ban that was instituted in 1981 still stands in the way. However, the President’s action increases the pressure on Congress to lift its ban and allow exploration and drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), eighty-five percent of which is currently off-limits.

Although increasing domestic oil production is not the “silver bullet” that will solve the energy crisis, it will provide some short-term relief from high gas prices until an economically viable alternative can be found.

It is now up to Congress to do the right thing for the American economy by lifting its ban on offshore drilling and moving the nation towards energy independence.