So much for one of my senators.
Senator Dole comments.
October 27th, 2003 - Since 1993, a moratorium enacted by former President George H.W. Bush has prevented drilling along the Outer Continental Shelf and provided a much-needed boost to our coastal economy. Each year thousands of families flock to North Carolina beaches to soak in some sun, dip in the cool waters and spend time with family and friends. Each visit brings welcomed tourism dollars and jobs that are so vital to our coastal communities.
But today, the coastal environment and the tourism industry of our state, as well as all other coastal states, are under attack by a provision in the energy bill that could lead to new offshore oil drilling. The provision would require the Interior Department to conduct an inventory of all oil and natural gas resources on the Outer Continental Shelf in moratoria areas, the area of land just off the coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.
The energy bill passed by the Senate did not include a provision to lift the moratorium, and members of the House of Representatives defeated a similar provision in their version of the energy bill. When Senate and House conferees began to negotiate a joint version of the bill, however, the offshore inventory provision emerged.
This provision is simply unacceptable for those living in, working in and visiting our coastal communities. Tourism plays a vital role in the North Carolina economy, and it remains a strong industry despite difficult economic times. Offshore drilling would drastically impact the economy and the livelihood of our coastal communities.
Advocates for this inventory label it as information gathering—but we already know what resources are located along our coasts from information gathered by the Department of the Interior. Why then, especially during tough economic times, should our state be asked to bear the risk of exploration for resources that are under moratoria and not even accessible for development?
The physical price of this risk—polluted beaches, disrupted marine ecosystems, lost tourism—speaks to the heart of the issue. The inventory provision in the energy bill is a grave departure from the historical protection of these areas. I am concerned that this provision hints to a backsliding from that protection by allowing intrusive activities into moratoria areas, through a study that is not needed. The only logical explanation for the inventory would be for future exploration activity and drilling.
There is no doubt that now, more than ever, we must work to end our dependence on foreign oil sources. But we cannot do so by ignoring the wishes of the coastal communities that oppose drilling. Our local people, not the federal government, should decide what is best for their areas.
“The Republicans should make a big deal of this.They need to stand on the capitol steps and demand action. Every Republican going on the TV circuits tomorrow should steer every answer to this bill. Make the Dems either sign on to this bill or very publicly reject it.”
and every day until the bill is signed, sealed & delivered by GWB!
ya see, that would be LEADERSHIP! Something that has been lacking for not just the last seven years but for the last three decades! We have been led around by the nose by OPEC since the 70’s oil embargo while countries like Brazil & France have been getting energy independent!