U.S. Democrats agree to new oil drilling

DENVER, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. congressional Democrats pledged to make offshore oil drilling part of their energy plan.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., made the promise during a speech outside the Democratic National Convention, The Daily Sentinel reported. Congress left for its August recess without reaching a consensus on its comprehensive energy legislation, but Pelosi said it will compromise on responsible drilling to increase domestic oil supplies.

Congress will take whatever steps are necessary to develop renewable energy sources, said Pelosi and others, including Reps. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., and Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

Oil shale production could now be an option for drilling as well, as long as it is done in a way that does not harm the environment, Democrats said.