Editorial: Protect the coast

From the Greenville Daily Reflector:

It was with unintended comedy that three Republican members of the state Senate would hold a press conference calling for offshore drilling in North Carolina on the first anniversary of the BP oil catastrophe. N.C. Sen. Bob Rucho of Mecklenburg County said the timing was ironic, though “tone deaf” may have been a more apt description.

The Gulf states are still reeling from an environmental disaster that showed oil companies capable of drilling holes in the ocean floor lack the skills and equipment needed should things go wrong. That is why a majority of the state opposes a similar risk along the North Carolina coast and why any effort to open the state to drilling should be fiercely resisted. ...

The tone in North Carolina was quite different on Wednesday as three senators called for offshore exploration along the Outer Banks. Claiming that North Carolina stands to gain 6,700 jobs and generate $500 million every year, the sponsors — Rucho, Sen. Harry Brown of Onslow County and Sen. Tommy Tucker of Union County — called for the state to enter a compact with Virginia and South Carolina to create a regional partnership for drilling. ...

They underestimate the people of this state, whose opposition to drilling is well reasoned. The Outer Banks is one of the state's most critical environmental resources and a source of millions in revenue each year. Residents along the gulf can readily attest to the risks of offshore drilling, and North Carolina would be better served to heed their warnings rather than the sponsors of this bill.

Oil rigs (literally) on the horizon?

On Monday, President Bush lifted restrictions on offshore oil drilling, which could have major implications on North Carolina.

"At issue for North Carolina are 300 miles of some of the nation's most undeveloped coastline. Waters off the state's coast contain significant fishing and birding habitats, while the coastal tourism economy is among the state's most important.

"But North Carolinians are paying more than $4 a gallon for gasoline, and most tell pollsters they support offshore drilling," said the N&O.

"The only thing standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is action from the U.S. Congress," Bush said. "Today, I've taken every step within my power to allow offshore exploration" of the Outer Continental Shelf.

Such exploration and drilling would have almost no effect on current gas prices, though. Experts point that it would take at least eight to 10 years to produce oil offshore once all the bans are lifted.

Bush's action is the latest salvo in an election year that has seen Democrats and Republicans diverge sharply in recent weeks on offshore drilling. Republicans -- including presidential candidate John McCain and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole -- have pushed to search for oil in the Outer Continental Shelf. Democrats such as presidential candidate Barack Obama and U.S. Senate challenger Kay Hagan oppose drilling offshore. ...

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, a Farmville Republican, said states' governors and legislatures should make the call on offshore drilling. He has been hearing from constituents who are agitated over gas prices.

"At this point, I know that we've got a critical need in this country, and I believe it's going to get more expensive," Jones said.

Among the politicians who have changed their minds in recent weeks about drilling offshore are Dole, who faces re-election this year, and Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Mel Martinez of Florida, all Republicans.

One person who has blatantly supported the potential of offshore oil drilling is Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, Republican candidate for governor. He told a Greenville audience earlier this month that this type of action could have major economic implications for Eastern North Carolina.

"The east has a higher unemployment rate and lower per capita income than the rest of the state, but it does not have to be that way," McCrory said. "With safe, environmentally sound drilling in the deep sea off our coast, we can create new high paying jobs, jobs that the people of our poor counties can fill."

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, McCrory's rival for the governor's seat, has said she is opposed to the idea, citing environmental concerns.