No drill zone: House bill spares Georges Bank

Last night's House approval of an expanded offshore oil-drilling bill excludes Georges Bank off New England after concerns by Massachusetts lawmakers.

US Rep. William Delahunt spoke to his DC housemate, US Rep. George Miller of California, and said he wouldn't support a bill that didn't spare the Atlantic area, according to today's article in the Boston Globe. (Click here for the full article).

US Rep. Ed Markey signaled earlier yesterday that the provision would not include drilling in the area off Massachusetts. The bill prompted rancor from some Republicans, who said it was hammered out in the dead of night without debate.

Both Barack Obama and John McCain have supported some offshore drilling in some circumstances, with McCain less restrained (and his vice-presidential pick, Sarah Palin, much less restrained on the issue).

What do you think? Is this bill a good compromise to demands of increasing energy security and drilling amid a volatile world market? Or does it go too far in exploiting our environment, or not far enough as more of a political document to give Democrats cover amid widespread popular pro-drilling sentiment before November's elections? Let us know in our comment section.