According to Reuters, the US Congress lets the offshore drilling ban expire:
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE48N6AF20080924?sp=...

I'm saddened by these news. Yes, they say that there is no guarantee that somebody actually starts with the drilling. But it simply is more procrastinating for an industry that could be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem. Shell proclaims on CNN the "clean fuel" in huge ads - I'm sick and tired of seeing these. As long as it burns and produces CO2, it is a problem. And water and oil don't mix - the tanker oil spills are enough already. No offshore drilling!