For N.C., offshore drilling debate hits close to home (Washington: leases, house)

[Bill Hitchcock]

The falling economy and growing concern about dependence on foreign oil are stirring second thoughts about the possibility of drilling off the North Carolina coast.
The debate has gone on for decades, but $4-a-gallon gas prices this summer prompted President Bush to lift a moratorium on offshore drilling in July. Since then, candidates for president, Congress and governor and members of the state General Assembly have weighed in.


The executive moratorium that Bush repealed — which includes drilling off the Pacific coast — is not the only one on the books. A congressional moratorium keeps offshore drilling on hold.

Complete Story: FayObserver.com - Current Article Page (http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=303154 - broken link)

[beachbums2]

I hope people realize that Katrina, a category 3 hurricane, caused hundreds of oil spills, some much larger than would have been expected.
Try doing an internet search under "hurricane Katrina oil spills" to see photos and info. Proponents of offshore drilling claimed there weren't any spills from Katrina, but this was simply not true.

[SunnyKayak]

Oil drilling off our coast line will not change our dependence on foreign oil.

It is a commodity traded on the world market that will not change to off shore drilling

Oil companies once again do not care about the enviromental impact it will have on marine life . The gulf is not a major migratory area as much as the Atlantic Ocean

Senator Dole who has already received campaign contributions from oil companies totallying over $200k

If you have ever been to our coast imagine looking out in the distance where the ocean curves to infinity and seeing pegs of oil platforms dotting up and down the coast.

08-17-08: Is Offshore Drilling Wise for N.C.? — nccoast.org (http://www.nccoast.org/observeroiledit/?searchterm=oil - broken link)

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[Bill Hitchcock]

If you have ever been to our coast imagine looking out in the distance where the ocean curves to infinity and seeing pegs of oil platforms dotting up and down the coast.

I don't think that would happen because as the article states-All oil derricks would be at least 50 miles offshore. To give some perspective-That would be like standing on the beach In Atlantic Beach and looking at Wrightsville Beach.
All you're going to see are your toes in the sand and whole lot of water.

My personal opinion is that I do not care if we have to use banana's for fuel-The goal is energy independence. We are funding and giving power to the very countries who wish to do us harm. We are currently turning control of self over to a foriegn power.
Energy independence is not an option-It is a requirement.

Thought everyone might find the following interesting.


GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2007

H 1

HOUSE RESOLUTION 2806


Sponsors:
Representatives Stam, McGee, Folwell, Justice (Primary Sponsors); Avila, Barnhart, Blackwood, Blust, Boylan, Brubaker, Clary, Cleveland, Current, Daughtridge, Daughtry, Dockham, Dollar, Frye, Furr, Gillespie, Gulley, Hilton, Holloway, Holmes, Hurley, Justus, Killian, Kiser, Langdon, Lewis, McElraft, Moore, Neumann, Pate, Ray, Samuelson, Setzer, Starnes, Steen, Thomas, Tillis, Walend, Walker, West, and Wiley.

Referred to:
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.


July 15, 2008

A HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO ALLOW NORTH cAROLINA TO DETERMINE WHETHER OFFSHORE EXPLORATION AND DRILLING SHOULD BE ALLOWED OFf THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, North Carolinians and all Americans are suffering from record high gasoline prices; and

Whereas, federal moratoria prohibit oil and natural gas drilling, exploration, and production in the State of North Carolina's outer continental shelf (OCS); and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina and all coastal states should have the right to determine on their own whether such drilling, exploration, and production should be permitted along their coasts; and

Whereas, H.R. 6108, the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2008 would permit states to make such energy decisions off their coasts; and

Whereas, according to the United States Department of Interior, there are an estimated 3.82 billion barrels' worth of oil and 36.99 trillion cubic feet of natural gas on the Atlantic OCS; and

Whereas, Congress and the President should eliminate policies, such as the OCS moratoria, which artificially limit oil supply and thereby increase gasoline prices; and

Whereas, lower energy costs and more reliable energy markets in North Carolina would promote economic growth and prosperity; and

Whereas, according to the United States House Committee on Natural Resources staff, the State of North Carolina would receive about $23.82 billion in royalties over a 30‑40 year period through revenue sharing from OCS leases; and

Whereas, offshore oil drilling off the coast of North Carolina would lead to significant job growth for coastal communities; and

Whereas, the United States Department of Energy has stated, "Advanced, more energy‑efficient drilling and production…practically eliminate spills from offshore platforms"; Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

SECTION 1. The North Carolina House of Representatives urges the North Carolina Congressional Delegation to support H.R. 6108, The Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act of 2008, or other similar legislation that gives North Carolina the authority to determine whether offshore drilling should be permitted along its coast.

SECTION 2. The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the President of the United States and to each member of the United States Congress representing North Carolina.

SECTION 3. This resolution is effective upon adoption.

[SunnyKayak]

If we wanted independence from foreign oil we would not be currently selling our current oil to other countries instead use it for our own Independence from countries that the jug heads in Washington do not like.

Regardless if the oil platforms can be seen on our coast you are going to have to run those pipes somewhere ... oh yeah up the coast effecting, beds for crabs, shrimp, endangered turtles and other marine life, and also it will effect shipping traffic and fishing traffic.

[Bill Hitchcock]

SunnyKayak,
It is obvious that you are quite passionaate about this issue. I see that you provided a link to an editorial from the NC Coastal Federation. Their offices are just 5 miles down the road from where I live. In fact-We did an interview with Frank Tursi with the federation for our television program. It was about ocean set backs. I'd post it here but don't want to break any rules.

Let me give you something to ponder. The floor bottom off our coast is relatively featurless. With the exception of the out croppings from the Capes-It's pretty flat on the bottom all the way out to the Blake Escarpmemnt.
As a result-The state of NC has a very active and successful artificial reef program with the primary purpose to supply structure (habitat) for fish. The NC Division of Marine Fisheries has an artficial reef department for the supervision and approval of artificial reefs.
Oil rigs and pipes would be an aid in creating structure and habitat for fish to an otherwise barren bottom. This could in fact help propagate many, many species.
Just something to ponder.
Bill

[MJinNC]

Drill here, Drill now

And whatever other alt. energy that needs to be acted on. Enough with all this whining crap of what ifs. wasnt it 10yrs ago clinton also said we wouldnt see any benifits for 10yrs? well here we are 10yrs later.

[beachbums2]

“Whereas, according to the United States Department of Interior, there are an estimated 3.82 billion barrels worth of oil….on the Atlantic OCS”

The US uses 7.3 billion barrels of oil per year. 3.82 billion barrels taken from the entire Atlantic OCS would take care of a little more than 1/2 year's worth of oil usage in the entire US.

“Whereas, according to the United States House Committee on Natural Resources staff, the State of North Carolina would receive about $23.82 billion in royalties over a 30 to 40 year period through revenue sharing from OCS leases”

The population of North Carolina is approximately 8,856,505.
$23.82 billion in royalties divided by 8,856,505 = $2,689 per person
Over a period of 30 years this would equal = $89 per person per year.
Over 40 years it would be $67.23 per person per year.

[Insensitive]

Drill here, Drill now. Cheap fuel will get the economy moving. Imagine the jobs that would be produced in eastern NC. Keep in mind that when you find oil you will find natural gas which is a clean burning fuel.

[SunnyKayak]

If your so gun hoe about oil drilling why not push for a oil refinery as well .

The Iraq war pretty much over yet the gas price hasnt gone down. something to think on .

They say less dependence of foriegn oil but never do they say cheaper gas prices