Posted on 06/21/2005 7:07:14 PM PDT by Rebelbase
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole today co-sponsored an amendment to the energy bill to prevent drilling off the coast of North Carolina.
The amendment would strike a provision in the energy bill that allows for a study of oil and natural gas reserves that could lead to future exploration and drilling in this environmentally sensitive area. The Senate currently is considering the energy bill.
"Drilling off our coast not only would be harmful to the environment, but it also would be detrimental to our tourism industry, which is extremely important to North Carolina's coastal economy," said Senator Dole. "I will continue fighting to prevent exploration that could lead to drilling that would jeopardize the livelihood of our coastal communities."
Senator Dole has been a leader in preventing harmful offshore drilling. During consideration of the energy bill in 2003, Senator Dole was the lead Republican in the group of senators who successfully kept offshore drilling language out of the final bill. In February 2005, Senator Dole and a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Domenici opposing offshore drilling and underscoring the negative economic impact of offshore oil and gas exploration on North Carolina and other coastal states.
Since 1993, coastal areas have been protected by a moratorium preventing drilling. Last week, Senator Dole joined a bi-partisan letter to Majority Leader Bill Frist and Minority Leader Harry Reid vowing to work to defeat any provision that undermines the moratorium.
"Now, more than ever, we must work to end our dependence on foreign oil sources," said Senator Dole. "But not at the expense of our coastal environments and economies."
Tourism is one of North Carolina's largest industries, supporting nearly 183,000 jobs. Approximately 49 million visitors traveled to the state last year, ranking it the 8th most popular state destination.
In 2004 travelers spent $13.2 billion across the state, generating more than $2.1 billion in tax receipts. ($1.1 billion in federal taxes, $710.73 million in state tax revenue, and $437.43 million in local tax revenue.)
Off shore wells have no affected the beaches along the Gulf Coast.
The fishing is so good that the Gulf states limit the number of some fish you can catch.
The Atlantic current is swifter than the Gulf.
Wnat to catch some whoppers,try the rigs.
"Yeah, Senator Dole is responding to pressure by rich liberals who want to preserve their property values, at the expense of the common good."
In this case not just the rich liberals -- I have conservative friends with houses on the Outer Banks who don't want this, either. When it comes to certain things, seems like everybody's a NIMBY.
To our Senior Senator.
Thanks for convincing us of just how stupid we were to elect you-you RINO dummy stooge of the liberal democrats!
We the rational people of North Carolina, ( a very small minority apparently-but what about all those minority rights we keep hearing about??) demand that you, Senator Dole and Burr too-work towards opening the entire coast of NC to exploration, drilling and production if some gas or oil is discovered, and The world's biggest d*mn refinery, right here in NC.
In Southern California we have oil wells all over the place. We have them off the coast, and by the sides of roads in residential areas, as well as in big areas with nothing but oil wells. We have three refineries in the 50 miles between LA and Orange County. Why does everyone bash California regarding this issue?
My sentiments as well. I have never seen a place where the natives are more into burning fuel than right here in NC. No body is about to walk or ride a bike, if they can go there in a vehicle powered by a gasoline or diesel engine. Lawns mowed twice a week on a riding mower, even when the yard is so small they have to go into the street to get aimed in the other direction. ATV's in every household, just to drive in circles around the house, or up and down the street. Jet skis, motor boats, anything that consumes gasoline.
It is time for the energy producing states to see us for the spoiled, pampered bastards we are, and say: " Share the burden of fuel production, or start walking, sweating, freezing and cooking with char coal, fired up without petroleum based starter fluid.
So true!
She should be forced to accept two refineries for every offshore platform that is forbidden to set up off of N.C.
Bob Dole is from Kansas; she is from Salisbury, NC.
She might as well be from Kansas. She grew up in NC in the 40's them moved away, not living here again until she took her mother's address in Salisbury when she filed to run for the Sentate.
She is an outsider who isn't clued into NC.
No argument there. I'll bet you even know the I in Salisbury is silent.
Hotel industry? Are you insane? The two major industries in NC are agriculture and banking. How about the thousands of North Carolinans that don't want offshore drilling? Aren't they the ones that put her in office? Don't they have a voice?
"Carpet bagging" - Last time i checked, if you live somewhere for the first quarter century of your life, return there to serve the people and state you grew up with, it wasn't considered carpet bagging.
I don't know why the banking and ag industries would be interested in protesting offshore oil drilling. Do you?
Being born and raised here in a different time, leaving for the vast majority of your life, then returning as if you have a contemporary pulse for the sole reason of political gain is carpet bagging, IMO.
What is your opinon of offshore drilling in NC? For it or against it?
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