Offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of North Carolina appears likely to proceed, regardless of which candidate wins this year’s presidential race.
Both Obama and Romney have approved policies such as offshore leases, that could eventually lead to offshore oil drilling if there is found to be a significant reserve of natural energy sources in the area.
Agencies that are opposed to offshore drilling are not satisfied with the policies of either candidate. According to Michael Jasny of the Natural Resources Defense Council, offshore drilling can have significant adverse effects on the environment, and the public should be aware of the impact that either policy could have on the marine ecosystem.
Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, is adopting an aggressive approach to the energy debate, stating explicitly that North Carolina’s offshore waters may hold great promise in meeting the ever increasing need for oil. Romney is proposing a policy of offshore leasing, whereby oil companies can rent the area from the federal government for drilling purposes.
President Obama, on the other hand, is proposing the more cautious approach of allowing energy companies to conduct seismic testing in the area in order to quantify the amount of oil and gas available in the area. Obama decided against offshore leasing after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010, which left 11 people dead and caused extensive environmental damage in the Gulf of Mexico.
The policies are a departure from the previously held reluctance of the United States to allow offshore oil drilling. Over twenty years ago, North Carolina’s state government denied Mobil Oil’s request to drill offshore, a decision which Mobil tried to fight in court for more than a decade before throwing in the towel. As yet, North Carolina’s coastline has not been used for any oil or gas drilling.
As with the debate over fracking for natural gas in North Carolina, views on offshore drilling within the state are divisive. Anti-drilling agencies claim that allowing oil companies to explore the area will lead to possible environmental damage, risk of serious accidents and heavy industry that may damage North Carolina’s burgeoning tourist market. However, those that are pro drilling believe that job creation and lease revenues could be worth up to several billion dollars for the government.
However, even if the Atlantic is opened to oil companies, it is likely that offshore drilling would not start for at least a decade. Before a drilling operation can begin, the site needs extensive seismic testing, mapping, reviews and environmental assessments.
