Drilling has resumed in the Gulf of Mexico, which only a year ago suffered widespread environmental devastation on a scale the U.S. has never seen. The CBC reports that Washington has approved a handful of permits which will allow for oil exploration in the Gulf, with some Republicans pushing for even more. “The fact of the matter is we have a tremendous abundance of fossil fuels that we need to utilize,” said Representative Doc Hastings, a Republican from Washington state. Hastings is shepherding three bills through the House that would allow drilling on the west and east coasts following a 30-year-ban.