Orrin Hatch: “First of all, BusinessWeek is not a conservative publication. Anything that is not liberal you consider conservative on…”

“First of all, BusinessWeek is not a conservative publication. Anything that is not liberal you consider conservative on that side. Secondly, the fact of the matter is, I have been making a pretty good case that it is pretty tough to get permits and get past the environmentalist roadblocks. It is in my State and every other State that has energy. Thirdly, I mentioned the coal that has been locked up because of the machinations of the Clinton administration, the last administration. Fourthly, I don't think it is even plausible that the oil companies, if they can get permits fast enough to do it, would not invest in more production, since that is their business. Some of them are going to China, to Russia, and elsewhere to make these profits because they are forced to. I think it is very unfair for my colleagues, as much as I admire you, it is very unfair to come on this floor and brand the oil companies as a bunch of antipatriotic companies. Let me finish with my remarks, and I will yield the floor. I have been in this business. I know doggone well what it takes and how much it takes and how much it costs to develop oil and gas. I also know how difficult it is to get past the roadblocks environmentalists put up. I get tired of the populist rhetoric on the other side of the aisle that never gives any consideration to how difficult it is to be in this business. I don't have any financial interest in oil. All I can say is that I have been there, I know what it is like.…”