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Friday, June 04, 2010

Offshore Drilling: Where the Public Stands

For a brief moment in time, President Barack Obama seemed open to expanded offshore energy exploration. Then came the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

So, late last month, the President reversed course, and ordered deepwater exploratory drills in the Gulf to cease work; a suspension of Gulf energy exploration for at least six months; and a stop to developing certain areas off Virginia and Alaska.

Given the importance of energy exploration and development to the U.S. economy, this is not a decision rooted in sound economics and policy. Therefore, one wonders if it's all about politics...


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Nice post, Ray.

It’s true that the president’s six-month deepwater drilling moratorium could have negative effects for workers and families along the Gulf Coast—and across the country: 120,000 lost jobs by 2014, $120-150 million in lost government royalties, and less domestic energy.

Access to affordable energy impacts every sector of our economy.

Jane Van Ryan
American Petroleum Institute | blog.energytomorrow.org