|
Offshore Drilling: Environmental and Commercial Perspectives 11 Feb 2009
The House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall (D-WV) began the committee's hearing on “Offshore Drilling: Environmental and Commercial Perspectives” held on 11 February by saying the purpose of the hearing “is to allow all sides to air their views so that we can begin to determine the best way to move forward.” Chairman Rahall noted that the US is the third largest producer of oil and second largest producer of natural gas in the world. However, he pointed out that the majority of oil and natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is in those areas already leased by oil and gas companies and that "no reputable economist believes that increasing the amount of drilling we do in the OCS will have any real impact on energy prices."
Four out of six witnesses opposed the further expansion of offshore drilling in the OCS and requested a renewal of the moratoria banning offshore drilling that expired in September 2008. Ted Danson, a member of the Board of Directors of Oceana, cited numerous statistics about oil spills and oil industry externalities and their negative effects on marine life, coastal and underwater habitats, and consequently marine-related industries. Phillippe Cousteau, President and CEO of EarthEcho International and grandson of Jacques Cousteau, concurred with Danson and proposed: (1) Congress reinstate the moratorium on new oil leasing in the OCS; (2) a comprehensive plan to stop fractionalized development of the oceans; (3) the creation of a comprehensive ocean investment fund. W.F. Grader, Executive Director of the Pacifc Coast Federation of Fisherman's Associations underlined the conflicts between offshore drilling and the fishing industry, mainly pollution, spatial losses, and seismic surveys, all of which harm fish. However, Jefferson Angers of the Center for Coastal Conservation insisted "the development of these offshore resources can be done in an environmentally responsible manner that protects the traditions of recreational anglers."
Similarly, Carolyn McCormick, Managing Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau in North Carolina and D.T. Minich, Executive Director of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in Florida stressed the importance of beaches in the tourism industry. The tourism industry contributes $1.4 trillion annually to America's GDP and much of that tourism is directed at beach communities. Therefore, unsightly offshore drilling rigs coupled with an even slight potential for oil spillage could wreak havoc on beach tourism. However, Bruce Allen of SOS California noted that a 2008 opinion poll shows that 62 percent of Santa Barbara County residents support more offshore production in California. As such, he urged Congress not to re-impose an OCS moratorium.
While witnesses and members may never come to a unanimous consensus on the issue of offshore drilling, its potential expansion, and investing in renewable and clean energy sources, legislation in regard to offshore drilling expansion has already been proposed. Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA) has introduced H.R. 797, the Maximize Offshore Resource Exploration Act of 2009, which would "greatly enhance the Nation's environmental, energy, economic, and national security by terminating long-standing Federal prohibitions on the domestic production of abundant offshore supplies of oil and natural gas.” Finally, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) has introduced H.R. 1143, the DRILL NOW Act of 2009, which would limit “presidential withdrawals of offshore lands from disposition for exploration, development, or production of oil and gas, authorize States to petition for authorization to conduct offshore oil and natural gas exploration and extraction in any area that is within 50 miles of the coastline of the State and within the seaward lateral boundaries of the State extended, and to share offshore oil and gas revenues with States."