If you don’t want our beach views to look like this one day, now’s the time to do something about it.

This Thursday will be the first official opportunity to voice your opinion about drilling for oil and gas off the coast of South Carolina. The Natural Gas Exploration Feasibility Study Committee that was convened last year by the state legislature will be hosting a public hearing this week.

• When: Thursday, February 12th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
• Where: Trident Tech Nursing Auditorium, 920 Building, 9000 Rivers Ave., N. Chas.

The offshore drilling industry poses significant threats to the health of our coastal ecosystems, the prosperity of our tourism based economy, and development of the alternative energy potential in our state. The potential benefits that would accompany drilling in the waters along South Carolina pale in comparison to the potential drawbacks.

Most Americans have heard the industry claims of lower gas prices, environmentally safe industry technologies, freedom from foreign oil dependencies, and the local economic boon that would accompany offshore drilling along the east coast. In reality, the facts paint a very different picture.

Offshore Drilling Talking Points

1. According to the US Department of Energy, drilling off the coast of South Carolina will not significantly lower oil or gas prices for consumers.
2. According to the US Department of Energy, drilling off the coast of South Carolina will not significantly reduce our dependency on foreign oil.
3. The multi-year permitting process to allow for offshore drilling in SC would distract our state leaders and agencies from working to expand our local renewable, sustainable energy alternatives.
4. The environmental degradation associated with the offshore drilling industry threatens to undermine our $15 billion per year tourism industry while despoiling the ecological integrity of our coast.
5. Onshore infrastructure like refineries, pipelines, and storage facilities would negatively impact air and water quality and the aesthetics of our coastal communities.
6. There are no studies that suggest this industry would bring further economic prosperity to this state, and our own SC Department of Commerce has concluded that any economic impact on jobs and capital investment would be insignificant.
7. The SC Energy Office has pointed out the enormous potential for this state to develop local, renewable forms of energy and this is where we should focus our attention.

Learn more about the recent environmental record of the offshore drilling industry, estimates of offshore oil and gas reserves, effects on consumer costs, and other impacts on our state economy from the Coastal Conservation League (CCL) – which is where I read all this information.

* UPDATE: 3/4/9: from a statewide poll of 300 people?? POLL SHOWS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT AMONG SOUTH CAROLINIANS FOR OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION

To paraphrase Jesus, “Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing”.

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