The Oklahoman: Obama administration needs to end ban on deep drilling

President Obama's plan to freeze the salaries of federal workers is a good first step. But to turn this country around--we need to focus on creating more private sector jobs. Which is why I am frustrated as hell by the de facto moratorium on deepwater drilling imposed by the Obama administration.

Like myself, the members of the editorial board of The Oklahoman reside nowhere near salt water. They are fed up too.

Industry officials met with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar in Louisiana last week and came away frustrated. "The only commitment we received from the secretary is that he's going to meet with us again in December," James Noe, of Hercules Offshore Inc., told reporters.

Salazar's take on the meeting didn't sound like the Obama administration is in any hurry to get drilling going again. He pledged to work with industry while making sure everyone understands the "rules of the road." Whatever.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House-designate John Boehner will meet with the newly elected Republican governors to discuss cutting spending and job creation. Dropping the deepwater drilling moratorium will be a good start.

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