Currently, eighty-five percent of the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States is under moratorium and off-limits to any offshore drilling activity. The moratorium was put in place twenty-five years ago in hopes of protecting the environment from possible oil spills associated with offshore drilling.
However, at present offshore drilling technology is extremely sophisticated and has evolved tremendously since offshore drilling was first done domestically in the late 1800s. In fact, the last oil spill from drilling on the United States Outer Continental Shelf occurred in 1969. Currently, more than 50% of the oil found in US domestic waters is from natural seepage while less than 5% is from offshore drilling. Increased offshore oil production would benefit both the United States Treasury and private business as well. Federal tax revenue would be created and the private industry could expand.
The only area that offshore drilling is allowed is in the central and western Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is an extremely hurricane prone area and only allowing offshore drilling in the Gulf puts the entire United States offshore oil production at risk. The moratorium on offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf should be lifted.
You might be saying to yourself: why do we need more oil? Like it or not we are dependent on oil in more parts of life than just cars. It is not realistic to just stop using oil tomorrow and the oil that is available in certain areas of the OCS will benefit us in the near future while we are still heavily dependent on oil. In no way am I saying just start shooting pipes anywhere in the ocean, there is research done my the US Mineral Management Service and offshore oil companies encourage strict safety regulations for both the environment and their employees.
I know that in today's hyper-environmental protection age it is "cool" to just come out and say NO drilling and NO oil. But you need to step back and qualify why you choose the stance that you choose. Ask the question why? Just saying "because" is not good enough.
Think of it this way - would you rather cut a check to the middle east or would you rather support domestic business what is here in US/North American territory?
1 comment:
This is one of the great things about blogging. Your report on this form of drilling is an issue that is rarely covered in the mass media. It amazes me that with all the talk of the peak oil problem and drilling in the Alaska this alternative is never explored. You make a great case against the stereotypical image people have in their minds of a future West Coast with oil derricks dotting the horizon belching fire and smog.
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