This weeks "flaming rig award" goes to Democratic Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico for their proposal that would allow drilling 45 miles from most of the Gulf Coast, and as close as 10 miles in the Florida Panhandle.
Drilling in the Gulf would likely not have an impact on domestic gas prices until the year 2030 at the earliest, according to the U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration
The Department of Interior estimates that the eastern Gulf could provide up to 3.88 billion barrels.
The U.S. consumes more than 7.5 billion barrels a year.
For another perspective from an experienced oil spill responder (and retired military), read this.
