Republicans Call on Congress to Lift Last Ban on
Ocean Oil and Gas Exploration
07/17/2008 | 05:08 PM
NC House Republicans have introduced a Resolution urging Congress to
lift the ban on ocean oil and gas exploration.
House Republican Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake) said
strong support for lifting the ban should have
persuaded Democratic House leaders to allow the
Resolution to be heard before adjournment.
On July 2, Republicans in the State Senate issued a similar call on Congress to lift its ban on Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas exploration. On Monday the President lifted an executive ban, leaving only Congress to consider if its own outdated ban should stay in effect.
“Years of technological advances in environmental drilling safety,” Stam said, “will help protect North Carolina’s coastline from harm. The location of the rigs will make sure they don’t affect the view from the shoreline.”
Concerns over rigs spoiling ocean views from North Carolina beaches are no longer warranted, say Resolution sponsors. Stam distributed a Frequently Asked Questions study dispelling “Common Misconceptions” about Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas exploration.
“Even from atop Cape Hatteras light,” Stam said, “the tallest lighthouse in the United States, the distance to the horizon, based on the curvature of the earth, is less than 20 miles. Rigs tapping the known reserves would be impossible to see from the Hatteras lighthouse tower.”
“This is about finding solutions to the rising price of gasoline and the terrible effect it has on North Carolina’s families,” Stam added. Supporters said lifting dated restrictions on exploration of North Carolina’s potentially huge deep water oil and gas reserve would not immediately lower gasoline prices, but would exert a long-term, downward pressure on prices.”
On July 2, Republicans in the State Senate issued a similar call on Congress to lift its ban on Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas exploration. On Monday the President lifted an executive ban, leaving only Congress to consider if its own outdated ban should stay in effect.
“Years of technological advances in environmental drilling safety,” Stam said, “will help protect North Carolina’s coastline from harm. The location of the rigs will make sure they don’t affect the view from the shoreline.”
Concerns over rigs spoiling ocean views from North Carolina beaches are no longer warranted, say Resolution sponsors. Stam distributed a Frequently Asked Questions study dispelling “Common Misconceptions” about Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas exploration.
“Even from atop Cape Hatteras light,” Stam said, “the tallest lighthouse in the United States, the distance to the horizon, based on the curvature of the earth, is less than 20 miles. Rigs tapping the known reserves would be impossible to see from the Hatteras lighthouse tower.”
“This is about finding solutions to the rising price of gasoline and the terrible effect it has on North Carolina’s families,” Stam added. Supporters said lifting dated restrictions on exploration of North Carolina’s potentially huge deep water oil and gas reserve would not immediately lower gasoline prices, but would exert a long-term, downward pressure on prices.”