More Evil Tom Raftkin....

[Fiskadoro]

After being slandered by the fishing tackle industry (ASA) and SAC for being in bed with the environmentalists, the real truth comes out. Raftkin's crew forges a middle ground between extremes and gets things done for fisherman!!!

Rigs to reef bill approved; awaits governor's signature...

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/sep/...its-governors/

The oil platforms that dot the Central Coast do more than just suck oil and gas from the ocean floor — they also provide a habitat for starfish and mollusks and croakers and rockfish that use them as an artificial reef, scientists say.

Following the passage of a bill Tuesday in the California Legislature, the platforms could be doing that for eternity if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs it into law at the end of the month.

The bill allows the rigs to stay indefinitely — albeit with everything above water and the first 85-feet of the structure below the water surface removed — which advocates say will not only give fish needed habitat, but bring cash to the state. The oil companies would benefit because they would save millions by not having to remove the platforms.


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...ge=2&track=rss

In a rare measure backed by big oil and environmentalists, the Assembly gave final passage to the so-called Rigs to Reef bill, which allows oil companies to save hundreds of millions of dollars by leaving the pilings of offshore platforms in California's coastal waters after the wells run dry.

The tops of the platforms will still have to be removed, but Assembly Speaker John Pérez (D-Los Angeles), author of AB 2503, said he hoped the underwater structures would become habitat for fish.

Many environmentalists opposed the original measure — which split the savings 50-50 between a state environmental fund and the platform owners — because they felt it was a giveaway to the oil companies. Under current law, the companies are on the hook for the costs of removing the entire rigs when they are decommissioned.

Amendments to the bill adjusted the split, giving the state 55% of the oil companies' savings for rigs dismantled before 2017. California's take rises to as much as 80% for rigs decommissioned after 2023.

Who could of seen that coming?

Jim

[jorluivil]

Why not just sink the entire thing (platform and all)?

[Gino]

becuase the top half is worth alot of money

[dsafety]

What? Two sides coming together with a compromise that works for everyone? What a novel concept.

Bob

[-scallywag-]

They're not working together, big oil/enviro nazis/politicians are one and the same, and they are no friend of ours.....

You wonder why no pollution and oil drilling provisions where put into the mlpa??....the big oil and the e-nazi's have been in bed for years!

Vote in November !!!!


http://calitics.com/diary/12303/envi...-mlpa-official

[Gino]

Originally Posted by -scallywag-

They're not working together, big oil/enviro nazis/politicians are one and the same, and they are no friend of ours.....

You wonder why no pollution and oil drilling provisions where put into the mlpa??....the big oil and the e-nazi's have been in bed for years!

Vote in November !!!!


http://calitics.com/diary/12303/envi...-mlpa-official

one of the BRTF members it he the now president of WSP when they did our MLPA in the south, she was the vice president.

[robmandel]

Originally Posted by Gino

one of the BRTF members it he the now president of WSP when they did our MLPA in the south, she was the vice president.

kathy boyd-rhies, or something like that. and yeah, it funny how the mlpa was all about closing off fishing, but it says nothing about mineral exploration, pollution, etc. it ain't, not ever was, about protecting the ocean.

there are no such things as "compromises" in politics. what it really means is that both sides get to screw the public, and more importantly, the taxpayer.

my guess is that it serves as a cheap way for the companies to dump their old gear which they don't need and don't want to expense out to relocate or remove. and yes, they make great structure, and that's fine.

I dont' care where they drill. but it's their expense completely. no bans, but no interference. no subsidies, no special waivers, nothing. they assume all risk. period. hell, most of california is off limits to drilling anyways. isn't like there's gonna be another well popping up anytime soon. and we wonder why california is in such shits right now.

and taxes? yeah, sure. tax them and they pass it onto us. tax business and they say fuck cali, and leave. but no taxes on all, not just those who can buy off the whores in sacramento.