Offshore drilling (hotels, buy, school)

[tjax1000]

By now I'm sure everyone heard in the news that Obama is planning to open up offshore drilling off the gulf coast of our state.

What do you guys think about this?

This is apparently not a partisan issue as you'll find members of both parties who support or denounce this. In fact I think I recall that Governor Bush disagreed with President Bush on this topic. Not only is that in the same party, but also in the same family!

In my opinion, the risk is not worth the reward. Lets face it- everything is a trade off. For example, modern nuclear power is largely safe yet there are negatives. I feel that the negatives are worth it to enable us to have electricity. If drilling out there could make us completely energy independent and able to give a middle finger to the folks in the Middle East that love us so much, I'd probably say it is worth the risk. But this isn't the case.

The U.S. has only about 2% of the world's petroleum reserves and only a small faction of that is off the gulf coast in FL. And while nobody can know the likelihood of an accident, the reality is this: accidents happen We're hit by hurricanes from time to time and lots of things can happen at sea. And it only takes one accident, one time, to destroy our beaches. Not only have we lost of of our states most precious natural resources, but we've lost one of our primary industries- tourism. I've never been to Corpus Christi but understand the beaches there have suffered.

Anyway, I'm just a normal person, you know- the type that uses plastic shopping bags but tries to re-use them when possible. I'm the type that wouldn't buy a Prius but I'd never think of leaving so much as a gum wrapper on the beach. To me, it is common sense that the white sands and blue water of Fort DeSoto and oil rigs (even 125 miles away) don't mix. The risk certainly doesn't seem worth the reward.

[LoganFL]

As someone that lives right on the beach I would agree that the risk is unjustified. However, from what I understand, we've already been allowing drilling in the Gulf by other nations like China and Mexico. If anything, I would think American companies would do it a little safer.

[FloridaKash]

I think its good they are allowing it. With that said, I am only supporting the drilling if they can increase their technology to make it safer and more environmentally sound. I feel like Gulf Coast drilling is still done irresponsibly and 'old school' style. I may be wrong and hope that I am. But I am pretty confident that North Slope drilling is much more environmentally sound and safer than it is in the Gulf.

[bentlebee]

We had drilling off shore in Europe and never had any incidents as far as I can remember and we could see the oil platforms from the coast.

What is more suprising to me is that Obama who was so against drilling and campaigned against it, is now in favor of it. Is it because he wants votes for the bad bill called cap & trade?

[TampaKaren]

Bentlebee, this is the reason that I just can't speak/write about it yet. Until such time as I can get over my fury, I'll withhold my sentiments on Florida drilling.

[tjax1000]

Good points on the safety aspect. I am aware that there is no comparison from the Chernobyl reactor and some of the latest reactor designs. This is a big reason why I advocate nuclear power w/o reservations.

So, I am hopeful that the safety aspect is greatly improved for oil drilling technology as well. Because lets face it, our oceans aren't getting any cleaner- the only place we have to go is down....

[domecrank]

Originally Posted by tjax1000

If drilling out there could make us completely energy independent and able to give a middle finger to the folks in the Middle East that love us so much, I'd probably say it is worth the risk. But this isn't the case.

The U.S. has only about 2% of the world's petroleum reserves and only a small faction of that is off the gulf coast in FL.

I feel this sums up my feelings on the matter completely. I'd be all for drilling if it had any kind of impact, but the bottom line is that it won't. Correct me if I'm wrong, but opening up the Gulf to drilling won't even remotely bring us a fraction of energy independence. As the I saw in the tbt* today:

"Expanded drilling in the gulf would have minimal effect at the pump. Opening previously restricted areas to drilling would c ut oil prices by less than 3 cents a gallon by 2030, which would have little effect on gas*oline prices, according to Michael A. Levi, an energy expert a t the Council on Foreign Relations. "

Whats the point?

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by domecrank

Whats the point?

^^Jobs.

I don't mean jobs at theme parks or hotels that pay $10 per hour, I mean REAL jobs that pay $50k-100k a year.

[Haai]

I wouldn't touch this issue with a ten-foot pole.

[craigm1841]

Drilling in the US has to happen. It is just a shame it has to happen so close to home...