Fwd: Energy & Environment Update: Gulf Oil Spill: Washington’s Response Should Not Preclude Future Exploration

Energy & Environment Update Advancing freedom and prosperity by unleashing free enterprise, protecting America's energy interests, and advancing free global energy markets. Recent Updates A Renewable Electricity Standard: What it Will Really Cost Americans Let the Sun Set on Solar Subsidies Renewable Energy: Free as the Wind? Cash for Caulkers: Another Subsidized Clunker Oil Spill: Focus on Containment, Clean Up, Causation Featured Research Gulf Oil Spill: Washington's Response Should Not Preclude Future Exploration By Ben Lieberman America's most serious offshore oil spill in 20 years is currently unfolding in the Gulf of Mexico, and massive cleanup efforts are underway to cap the leak and contain the oil. This comes at a time when Washington had been considering expanding domestic oil production, including the Gulf and other offshore areas. For the most part, President Obama's initial response has been sensible, calling for a freeze on any plans to allow new leasing while not interfering with ongoing energy production contracts or calling for permanent policy changes before the facts are in. No doubt, this spill can and should spark prospective policy changes regarding offshore energy production, but it should be done in a prudent manner and not preclude continued exploration and drilling in America's waters. >> Click here to read Ben Lieberman's full report Global Warming on the Hill An Update from Heritage's Senate Relations Deputy Dan Holler On Wednesday, Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) will unveil their global warming plan – a combination of cap-and-trade and a gas tax.  Notably absent from the press conference will be Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who defected from the so-called tri-partisan after a squabble over immigration policy.  Senators Kerry and Lieberman seem to believe the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will help rally Americans around increased taxes and forced consumption of unproven, expensive energy sources.  Those policies remain deeply unpopular, but liberals tend to ignore public opposition.  In that spirit, they could bring this job-destroying proposal to the Senate floor as soon as June. For information on cap and trade, visit Heritage's Rapid Response page, which features research, commentary, blog posts, charts and additional policy resources. Shine Light on Energy Taxes Tap into your network on Facebook and invite your friends and family to join The Heritage Foundation as we educate more Americans about the dangers of a cap-and-trade system that will tax most forms of energy. Get started today at NoEnergyTax.com. About The Heritage Foundation Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute -- a think tank -- whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400