House leaders have made it known that their transportation bill will expand oil drilling and exploration to fill part of the yawning gap between what the Highway Trust Fund gathers each year in gas taxes and what is spent. That provision is controversial, no doubt, but the opposition is coming from more than just one side. Some [...]

According to sources cited by numerous outlets this morning (Politico’s Morning Transportation, Transportation Issues Daily and others), the House is planning to mark up a five-year transportation bill in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee next Thursday, February 2nd. It could be released as early as this Friday, though that date may slide somewhat into next [...]

An emerging House proposal for a multi-year transportation bill, highlighted at a press conference today by Speaker John Boehner, is already raising strong concerns due to the stated intent to fund the massive shortfall in gas tax revenues for transportation through controversial increases in oil drilling and speculative energy exploration. It’s encouraging to hear House leaders [...]

The New York Times bashes Congress’ fixation on looking for short-term solutions to high gas prices and pushes policymakers to do more to encourage the production of renewable energy.

Continuing their gradual shift on offshore drilling, House Democrats are now pushing a bill to open up U.S. coastlines to oil exploration. (New York Times — Carle Hulse)

Hoosier Environmental Council Executive Director Jesse Kharbanda argues that Americans should begin looking at the entire costs of transportation — not just the price of gas. (Indianapolis Star)

Led by speaker Nancy Pelosi, the U.S. House approves a bill to allow drilling 100 miles off the east and west coasts — as close as 50 miles with states’ permission — while taxing oil companies and promoting investment in renewable energy. (Boston Globe — Lisa Wangsness)

A new energy bill unveiled by House Democrats allows for new offshore drilling, extend tax credits for the production of renewable energy, and tightens a few screws on big oil companies. (Grist — Kate Sheppard)

Citing the importance of energy issues this election season, USA Today walks through the positions of Barack Obama and John McCain on gas prices, drilling, climate change, and other major topics. (Paul Davidson and Barbara Hagenbaugh)

Thanks to a media drumbeat and political grandstanding, 51 percent of Americans believe that drilling would immediately bring down gas prices — while the country’s own energy department says that it would not have a significant impact before 2030. (Los Angeles Times — Geoffrey Mohan)