I have a simple solution for California. California should open up offshore drilling and take a hefty royalty from the process. Then, 100% of the royalties should go towards building out...
1. The proposed high speed rail from SD to Sacto with the SF spur.
2. More light rail in SD, LA, and SF--especially East Bay.
3. Solar and Wind power to feed the Grid.
On all high speed trains, commuter trains, and inner city light rail, I would post the data in the passenger cabins on how much gross offshore oil revenues were, and the state's take from royalites. I would hammer home the idea.
I would just comment that the entire discussion surrounding offshore drilling in the USA is like most conversations here an example of the false dillemma fallacy. Basically, drilling in the OCS in the USA won't do one thing for global oil prices. It's also not th environmental threat it once was, 30 years ago. But, it will indeed give that cash flow to us. And that is non-trivial. It's cash that flows toward us.
I think Florida should also take up my plan. Drill, take royalites, build excellent running and looking transport. Would also make for strong job creation at all levels, from engineering, to design, to manual/skilled labor.
Cheers,
Gregor
(posted also as a reply to zebra4o1) |
