Which image above appeals to you most? Dirty energy and dependence on oil, or more environmentally friendly energy options such as solar power? If you are like us, you choose the latter.
Now you have the opportunity to have your voices heard. The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released its draft proposal for offshore drilling along the Atlantic coast, including in waters off of South Carolina. A public comment period is open until March 30th, giving you an opportunity to tell BOEM that S.C. opposes offshore drilling and should be excluded from the plan.
You can submit comments against offshore drilling along the South Carolina Coast by simply clicking this link: http://boemoceaninfo.com
Here are the top 5 reasons offshore drilling is a bad idea for South Carolina:
- The risk isn't worth the reward: Current estimates for reserves off of the S.C. coast is equal to about a six day supply of oil and gas at current US consumption rates. Six days worth of oil and gas isn't worth the risk to our coastal quality of life and detrimental impact on our natural resources.
- Currently the state's marine fisheries produce more than a billion dollars annually in economic value, and on top of that outdoor recreation from coastal tourism generates more than $7 billion in economic activity annually. If offshore drilling were to happen-- our state's coastline would be littered with oil and gas infrastructure, a clear conflict with the existing economic and environmental advantages.
- A major spill, similar to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster can impact thousands of miles of coastline, devastate local economies, and wreak havoc on the marine and coastal environment. Any drilling in South Carolina represents a threat to the coast and lowcountry.
- The impact of seismic testing on marine mammals, fish, and other sea life and the surrounding ecosystem is also of serious concern.
- NOAA has ranked the south Atlantic planning area (which we are located in) as having the highest relative sensitivity to spilled oil along the East Coast. BOEM should remove South Carolina and neighboring states from the proposed five-year plan.
You can submit comments against offshore drilling along the South Carolina Coast by simply clicking this link: http://boemoceaninfo.com
For more information visit www.ThinkEnergySC.com.
Please feel free to email us at chair@charleston.surfrider.org with any questions or comments.
You can also have your voice heard by visitng the BOEM meeting in Charleston March 11, 2015 at 3 p.m. More details below:
