05/22/08 Oil, gas on public lands; Bush's veto

The BLM has just released a study that shows vast untapped oil and natural gas resources that exist on US public lands. Assistant Interior Secretary Steven Allred says those onshore public lands contain an estimated 31 billion barrels of oil and 231 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The same study says only eight percent of the federal oil and ten percent of the gas is accessible under today's standard lease terms. BLM Director Jim Caswell says the current technology will allow energy development on public lands without adversely impacting the environment. The report and a related fact sheet are also available online at www.blm.gov. The Congress has the next say now that the President had his. CONNER "The President has stated time and time again that he would not accept a farm bill that fails to reform our farm programs at a time when farm income and crop prices are setting records and he has remained true to his word." That's Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner on President Bush's veto of the Farm Bill yesterday. Now both the House and Senate must vote by a two thirds majority to override the veto and given their prior votes on the massive bill that will probably happen. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott