Replies to post #4551 on The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[OakesCS]

you'll probably side with the Koch brothewrs on this. As I indicated, I side with TBP and think it is ok for government to front the money knowing that a payback is written into the bill.

I don't know what the Koch Bros position is wrt NG legislation; however, since they own at least one pipeline company, i suspect they would benefit from any legislation which would benefit the NG industry. If they are against the bill maybe it's because they're folks with good principles.

It's remarkable to me that some liberal folk spout off about subsidies to oil and gas companies but then turn around and push legislation like that being pushed by t-bone. And how many times do you need to hear "the legislation is paid for" before you get past the "fool me once" stage?

[Jonathan Robinson]

I would say I had a couple of thoughts reading the article. Thanks for posting it.

1. This is a primary function of government, to help markets develop where they might not otherwise form because of high upfront costs, inefficiencies, short-sightedness, and lack of standards. Perfect role for govt. and given the strategic nature of energy (see US Iraq expeditions, China resource buys, etc.), this looks like a critically needed project.

2. Restricting exports from government land probably doesn't do much as supplies are somewhat fungible (at least within a gathering area) and there are enough supplies outside of government lands to export, which has the same impact of restricting domestic supply.

3. Arguing the US should restrict exports because of impacts on other businesses smacks of price controls and will likely have the impact of causing drilling to slow and shut-ins to increase. This might be a worthy strategic goal of the US (leave our resources intact) while others' get burned, but it smacks too much of self-interested politics and is why the US is going bankrupt - broken political process with each side supporting its own interests

4. This one intended as a partial joke: Article says prices would rise with exports or with production halts. Heck, can't we order them to produce? Doesn't that fix all problems. We need more central planning. NOT!

Jon