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BLM oil and gas lease sale 'criminal,' Redford says

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Never | 6:02 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
The people of Utah will never see lower gas prices and America won't be less dependent on foreign oil with this drilling. Why do people think it will be Utah's oil or America's oil? It will be the oil companies oil and they'll sell it to the highest bidder. But, this is the same Utah that welcomes a nuclear dump on the edge of town. If you can't sell it it's not worth anything, right?
pat | 6:08 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
This is timely and appropriate. Remember Clinton and The Grand Staircase. What goes around comes around. Thank you Bush and Cheney!
To wooF 5:25pm | 6:32 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I lost my share in the market, but what has that got to do with a biased headline. Times are bad enough without the hype of environmental scares.

By the way, if you want tough times to get worse, keep supporting economy killing environmental concepts. We will all be back in the "dark ages".
Comments continue below
hypocrite | 7:03 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
This Redford fellow owns a ski resort that has a lodge and all the goodies developed on beautiful land. He is against it unless it helps his own financial gain. Yes he is a rich hypocrite that wants attention.
itsjustme | 7:06 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Why is the Hollywood types, and the leftists in general, fight every time a State or the Federal government wants to do something productive with OUR land?

Look at the fit Redford threw when the State widened the road through Provo Canyon.

It seems to me that if it is a benefit to the majority, the minority will scream the loudest to get whatever is proposed stopped.
Cindy | 7:24 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Mr Redford is no tree hugger that's for sure. He cuts the trees down and eats all his yard animals.
Running bear | 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I am so tired of our land being destroyed for those who think they need to build some kind of huge, odd looking, untraditional, cracker box, house on our hills. Just look at how these people have wrecked immigration canyon. People like Redford have wrecked our heritage by chopped down trees to build glass houses everywhere you look! The beautiful mountains are gradually starting to disappear.
Leonardo | 7:35 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
We will run out of oil as sure as the sun rises in the east. At that point, we will HAVE to find an alternative. In the meantime, how much are we willing to sacrifice in beauty, wildlife, and clean water, all of which we also value? Will these last deposits of Utah oil and gas trump every other value? I hope not. And this has nothing to do with Robert Redford or his lifestyle - he just lends star power to get good publicity for an effort. It is only about what we are willing to sacrifice for those last deposits.
After that, we'll STILL have to change.
sb | 7:48 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I'm for drilling or developing the Shale. As with anything there is risk, even the entertainment industry produces pollution and causes some detriment to the environment. However, there is the technology out there to develop the resources we have as safely as possible. I say go for it.
justired | 8:16 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
why is robert redford's opinion of any news-worthiness???
wayne ford | 8:17 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Generally speaking, if the Sierra Club is against it, then thinking people should be for it.

There has been so much 'crying wolf', that I discount about 98% of any thing I hear about the negative effects on the environment.

Thank God these alarmists wern't around when the dinosaurs were here, or none of us would be able to venture outside our homes.
Here is the facts | 8:25 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
people are going to have to come to grips with the fact that we will NEVER be become fossil fuel independent! To much of it is used in our EVERYDAY products! It is used in things like road tar, rubber for tires, rubber soled shoes, plastics, and even things like petroleum jelly, and ect..... so tell me how wind, solar, and those kinds of energy are going to produce those kinds of things! It is just wasting taxpayers money with these frivolous kinds of law suits! And by the way Redford, you never asked my opinion, so don't think you speak for me! the real John Q. Taxpayer!
LAME Reporter | 8:42 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Who determined this to be "fire Sale"?...Redford?

If it auctions for below Market value ...then you can tag it a Fire Sale, not before!
100yds from a rig | 8:46 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
allanoil....Maybe you'd like to visit the folks in Garfield County, Colorado and tell them how the gas development all around them is being done in a non-disruptive manner. Is a drilling rig within 100 yards of your house non-disruptive? Is gas bubbling up out of the stream on your land non-disruptive? Is having your water well contaminated by yield enhancement chemicals injected into gas wells non-disruptive? Is having a gas company allowed to put an 8 man camp next to a rig 100 yds from your house without even a building permit non-disruptive? You aren't qualified to define non-disruptive.

I wouldn't ask a wildlife biologist where to find oil. I wouldn't ask a petroleum geologist about effects on wildlife or on people's quality of life.
It IS your land.... | 8:56 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
only not just yours. Federal land in Utah doesn't just belong to you because you live there. It belongs to everyone in the United States. People who live on the coasts may have a *slightly* different view of what should be done with it than Utahns, but they have just as much say per person as you do.
Re: Anonymous @ 4:27 | 9:04 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
You said:

"If Obama protects a few million more acres in Utah it won't effect them politically. Clinton wasn't hurt. We liberals could turn Utah in to an environment reserve and there's no political penalty. Obama could send a message to other states that don't support him. If you don't have any political support in a state, it not like there's votes you can lose."

It's good to see you liberals actually admit to your unethical behaviors for once. When Clinton created the Escalante National Monument all on his own, I was disgusted by his dictator like behavior, but not as disgusted as I was with the American people for letting a single person get away with exercising that much power.

I have no problem with the monument, but that type of political behavior is very, very dangerous. It just shows, as long as you have the media on your side, you can get away with anything. Just look at what George W. is getting away with right now! Creating an auto bailout in spite of Congress and in spit of the people.
and you know this how? | 9:05 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Leonardo,
I believe the sun will rise from the east, but I sure don't know how you prove that we will run out of oil. The predictions years ago (70's) said we would be out by now, and that was with less usage than we currently have. The sky is not falling, there is plenty of oil and the "environmentalist" want you to ride a horse. (Please bring own shovel and wagon to collect waste and dispose of properly!)
whoa | 9:10 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
President Clinton did not break any law or laws when he created the ENM. He followed in the footsteps of... Teddy Roosevelt. Yee gads, people, you have to read American history first and then write. Not the other way around.

Oh Utahns, I pray for you.
Tom | 9:16 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Unseen Beauty, oil drilling in Utah has nothing to do with affordable oil. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, reserves in the United States are insufficient to affect world oil prices significantly. If you don't believe me, look for yourself.

We can affect the cost of transportation by using the oil we buy more efficiently and finding alternative fuels suitable for transportation. We can ruin southern Utah, providing some jobs for a few years, making money for some people, but it won't make any real difference in terms of oil imports or oil prices.

Drill, baby, drill sounds impressive, but it's a slogan invented by somebody who thinks that living across the ocean from Russia makes you an expert on foreign policy.
Other things we could do | 12:27 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
I would like to see the United States go all out with geothermal, wind and reprocessing of nuclear power, [the reprocessing would lower the amount of nuclear waste and get more energy out of a given amount of uranium].

I think we should | 12:32 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
tap mr redfords mouth for oil and gas.
Excuse Me Please | 1:08 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Recently, I took a Jeep trip in the Moab area it was very beautiful...Of course there is some development in the area as one would expect. Sight seers don't own the land. We need to develop our oil resources including the Alaska reserve which would hurt nothing. I have been up there..it would hardly make a mark on that vast wilderness and the animals do not care if we use a small part of it. Ugly, costly windmills are hardly the answer, if so, where are they and why have we not been using them. There is a reason. We are locked into the use of oil for many, many years. Only the rich can afford to be fussy about the scenery. Lets get going...DRILL.
Maggie | 1:20 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Mr. Redford at times I wonder how you can stand to stick around Utah, but I am very glad you do.
NEPA | 1:23 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
I wish there would have been some discussion about the legal implications of NEPA concerning this executive order. SO far as I understood that if a company planned to develop public land it was required to fill out an Environmental Impact Statement. Does Mr. President's executive edict bypass these formalities?
All those who say gas is scarce, explain to me why I here about speculaters buying cheap gas and storing it in super tankers off the coast. Yes we certainly are running out of "cheap" gas because speculators are once again trying to create a sellers market by limiting supply(which was also decreased by oil executives). So by all means lets drill needlessly and let capitalism sort it out, cause that is so consistent and egalitarian.



Rich | 1:27 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
What would be a crime would be to fail to get started on drilling now. Reasons?
1) It takes years to actually get the oil and gas on the market, according to the Democratic party.
2) We currently do not have enough alternative energy sources. We have nothing but fossil fuel that can move semi-trucks and automobiles, the two chief methods of moving cargo and people in this country.
3) If we fail to start extracting more energy from U.S. lands, then we'll become increasingly dependent on foreign oil, which could lead to high prices that could again cripple our economy, a prime reason the economy got in trouble in the first place this time around.

However, let's put in some rules that all roads placed for oil and gas exploration be closed to the public, that no oil and gas workers can access public lands for recreation on such roads, and that all such roads be completely eliminated after the gas and oil wells shut down. The chief negative impact of gas and oil extraction is the creation of roads, which harm wildlife by reducing isolation, so let's minimize that harm.
Curt | 1:45 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
You are right Mr. Redford, those lands don't belong to Cheney and Bush. Nor do they belong to arrogant Hollywood types who think that just because they have money, their opinion is more important than working class folks.
Anonymous | 3:39 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
It is Criminal Robbie Red? Criminal? I will tell you what is criminal you rich liberal, paying over $4.00 for a gallon for gas. I am a small business owner and it dang near destroyed my business last summer. Guess what you tree hugger, don't drill and watch are friends in the middle east bring it right back up to $4.00 again. I am so sic of rich liberals telling me we cannot use the resources put on this earth for us to use.
Sundance is a BLIGHT | 5:11 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Yes, Redford brought Sundance Film Festival to Utah. Curse him! Every year, I'm ashamed of the debauched and worldly scene it entails. From reviews of films exhibited there, with rare exception, are counter to Utah family values and full of debauchery, sexual excesses, nudity, profanity, left-wing politics.... I, for one, would be very glad if Redford picked up his bags and left town. I notice the media always treats him with kid gloves... like he's royalty or something. And they ignore his hypocricy about Sundance Ski Resort.... He's got his, now, doesn't he? Let the rest of us --eat dirt.

what??? | 5:57 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
what makes mr.redford such an expert in the energy industry. He has the attitude that now he has his part of the world don't change a thing around him as it willaffect the whole environment so badthat we will all die in a couple of years. I would invite him and his cromies to come to the Uintah Basin and really look at what the companies are required to do. If anything he couldgive money to the BLM to hire people to document the compliance with the regulations.
Mr Redford is like most people in this country "misinformed" and to lazy to find the truth.
fear Obama | 5:58 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Anyone else notice that when these so called alternate energy sources start to make money the big oil companies cut energy prices in half.

I bought gas the other day for 1.46 gal.

We need to do like Bush did, just mention drilling for off shore oil or producing Shale. It puts the fear of domestic production on their greedy plates.

I fear Obama will let the oil companies take us to even more higher prices for energy.
CP | 6:24 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
This has nothing to with "that he wants the value of his land to go up" and one said. It has to do with that he cares about the beauty and the nature and the wild life of the land. I applaud what he's doing and I support him. Go ahead and troll me if you want, but I agree with Robert Redford and I'm glad to see someone is taking a stand on the destruction of what's happening to the beauty of these canyons!
Jond | 6:55 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
I guess RR and his out of state senator toadies haven't been to Moab and spent a day listening to the Jeeps and Four-Wheelers screaming over the undeveloped rocks. Just because you can see it from the park does not make bad, turn around and look in that is what the park is for.
Reality | 6:57 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
I've seen alot of comments asking why alternative resouces haven't been developed over the years.

One reason: they don't work on a macro scale.

Windmills have become more efficient, solar arrays can produce more volts per square inch, and geo-thermal is becoming more accessable. The difficulty remains that these can only be used on either a single household scale or municipality to augment what is all ready there on the grid. None of those technologies can be used to actually supply the grid.

Should more homes be built with these technological accessories? Yes, but they should not be mandated, only done on a voluntary basis. The only technologies available to supply the power grid continuously are the ones we are currently using: hydroelectric, natural gas, coal (which is a whole lot claeaner than the envirowackos want you to believe), oil and the dreaded yet world-wide tested nuclear.

Until we can develop nuclear power without the envirowackos being the source of over 2/3's of the cost to build (through stupid lawsuits), our best bet is to use and explore our own resources. We all saw, briefly, what happened to gasoline prices in mid-summer when the US just threatened to drill.
John | 7:38 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
So the greenies are at it again, wild statements, it will ruin this planet, people will spoil the pristine beauty, it's all about them and their cause. They should drive through Canada, their government don,t give them an option to sue, and they are the USA's largest supplier of oil.
I have seen their oil and gas platforms, the area around them supply the wildlife with better browse and food than adjoining areas.
We should all look to Redford as an example of an eletist attitude... don't do as we do, do as we say.
Uncle Teddy's boat was dumping diesel into the bay at Hiannas port, nobody wanted to remove his boat, nor did it get much press coverage.
The greenies have no viable solutions, hard to imagine doing research in a cold darkroom.
KM | 7:49 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Redford probably has also bought into the Global Warming hoax.
He is just playing a part, just acting.
Paul | 7:54 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
There is so much of Utah that is being drilled now, with the roads and pipelines that go along with it. Leave a few places alone, so not every view from a National Park has a wellhead or pipeline in it.

If you can drill these parcels from existing parcels, using slant drilling, then go for it. Otherwise, leave a few vistas alone.
Roustabout | 8:10 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Having worked on oil and natural gas rigs in Nine Mile Canyon, I will say firsthand that there is total destruction of the surrounding area where drilling takes place. Rig workers don't give a damn about anything around them. They are just getting the job done. Believe me, drilling should definately be controlled to a strict degree. We shouldn't stop drilling, but don't let them do it in our parks. The only thing left is a messy scar.
Delusional | 8:16 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
I don't like Redford any more than the next guy, but you are completely delusional if you think a) oil harvested from these beautiful areas will have any significant impact on our dependence on foreign oil; or b) the impact on the environment will be minimal. The whole "drill baby drill" philosophy reeks of a symbolic gesture that has no relationship to fact. Having visited Arches and Canyonlands this year, I can honestly say I would rather walk a hundred miles to see them than have them destroyed by ill-advised oil drilling.
California quacks ... | 8:19 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Redford is the criminal. He stole and developed his land (Sundance); and now the hypocrite wants to steal our land (Utah) along with his "LA" wacko mob.
Environmentalists are | 8:19 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
. . . the criminals and traitors, allowing our enemies to be able to have disastrous effects on our economy (not to mention on the poor who can least afford fuel prices) by purposely reducing oil output. They should all be tried for treason!!!!!
Drill now; save money | 8:23 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Drill here, drill now, save money, promote freedom. Keep the LA fruits & nuts from ruining our health. Our economy will grow, jobs will return, and preace and prosperity is waiting. Drill here, drill now, save money, be happy. Liberals lie. Life really is that simple.
And one more thing | 8:21 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
If these leases are such a good idea, why is President Lame Duck pushing them through in a hurry at the end of his term when nobody can do anything to stop them? As he has done so many times before, W is thumbing his nose at anyone who disagrees with him. He has become a law unto himself. Do you people really think that's a good and honorable way to accomplish your drill baby drill goals? It is a shameful action by our government, and everyone who supports it shares in the shame.
mike | 8:28 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
keep this jerk in california!!!
KLR | 8:25 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Just because they are putting up for auction for mineral lease rights, does not mean they will ever drill. Look at Sevier and Sanpete counties as examples. Oil companies have leased about every square inch they can, both private and public land. There do not appear to be oil rigs popping up all over the land there? Oil companies lease land to keep the competition out.


nottyou | 8:39 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
I'm willing to drill for oil right through the head of some wild life in order to save human life. Drill baby, drill.
Definitions | 8:40 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Environmental rapist -- one who wants to utilize undeveloped land.

Environmentalist -- one who has already done so, and now wants to make sure no one else can.
Redford is nuts | 8:40 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Redford is very old and very dumb. He lost his mind long ago. Drill here, drill now. Kill the ugly and inefficient windmills. Liberals lie. Don't let their perversion twist the obvious truth. Drill here, drill now, live free.
Redford is an idiot | 8:41 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Enough said.
Criminal | 8:40 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Redford, Who?
Hey Red | 8:45 a.m. Dec. 18, 2008
Hey Rob, Can't the same thing be said about Escalante? Isn't that OUR land not clinton/gore's?

You are such a liberal hypocrite it makes me sick. Driving your big gas guzzling cars, flying in your private jets, etc. Now we a have chance to create some domestic jobs and revenue and all you do is complain. Be a part of the solution not part of the problem.

By the way, please close down your ski resort, it's destroying the landscape and environment!!!!

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