Should the U.S. Allow Offshore Oil Drilling?

• “Yes”

  

  “An Introduction”

• No Objections Yet

An Introduction

Kenneth B. Medlock III

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The price of gasoline recently reached unprecedented highs, prompting many Americans to actively think about ways to lower fuel prices. In addition to consumers altering their vehicle usage and opting for greater fuel efficiency, they are looking to government to provide some sort of relief. Record-high crude oil prices are the primary reason for record-high gasoline prices, and a confluence of factors is responsible for the recent run-up in crude oil prices. One important factor behind the recent strength of oil prices is the expectation of inadequate future supply in the face of rising global demand. This has prompted a public debate about the removal of access restrictions in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).  President Bush recently lifted the long-standing executive ban, but Congress must determine what its position will be. Even then, various states have promised to oppose offshore drilling regardless of the decision of the federal government. So, what should ultimately be done about the OCS leasing moratoria?

Evidence

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Appendix

Which planning areas are considered to be under moratoria/executive withdrawal from leasing?

On January 9, 2007, President George W. Bush modified the 1998 OCS leasing withdrawal in order to allow leasing in two areas -- the North Aleutian Basin planning area offshore Alaska, and the 181 South Area of the Gulf of Mexico. These actions were in response to the requests from Alaska state officials and local communities and enactment of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESAct) of 2006 respectively.

The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 mandated a sale in the original Sale 181 area -west of the military mission line, and 125 miles from Florida in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and 100 miles in the Central Gulf of Mexico. This mandated sale, Sale 224 is scheduled for March 2008. The act also established moratoria to 2022 in rest of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and in a near shore portion of Central Gulf of Mexico within 100 miles of Florida.

The following planning areas are still subject to a 1998 Presidential withdrawal from leasing through June 30, 2012, under the authority of Section 12 of the OCS Lands Act (43 USC 1341). All but North Aleutian Basin, Alaska, are also subject to annual Congressional moratoria, some from as early as Fiscal Year (FY) 1982:

• Washington-Oregon

• Northern, Central and Southern California

• Eastern Gulf of Mexico, except for the portion located off Alabama and more than 100 miles off Florida that was proposed, but not offered, for Lease Sale 181 in 2001

• South, Mid and North Atlantic
In addition, in 1998 President Clinton withdrew indefinitely all National Marine Sanctuaries, which are located in the following planning areas:

• Washington-Oregon (Olympic Coast)

• Central California (Cordell Bank, gulf of Farallones and Monterey Bay)

• Southern California (Channel Islands)

• Western Gulf of Mexico (Flower Garden Banks)

• Straits of Florida (Florida Keys)

• South Atlantic (Gray’s Reef)

Next Argument

"Yes" Kenneth B Medlock III

• An Introduction
  1
• 1. Resource Potential and Market Impact
  1
• 2. Active Leases and Production Activity
  1
• 3. Environmental Considerations
  0
• 4. Addiction to Oil
  0

"No" NRDC

• No More Fake Solutions
  1
• Offshore Drilling Threatens Our Fish Stocks and Ocean Resources
  1
• Oil Companies Sit on 68 Million US Acres That They Have Not Drilled
  1

"No" Sierra Club

• Drilling Helps Big Oil, Not Hardworking Americans
  0
• Offshore Drilling is a Dirty Business
  0
• We Need Clean Energy Solutions That Benefit All Americans
  0

Most Objections

• No More Fake Solutions
  1
• Offshore Drilling Threatens Our Fish Stocks and Ocean Resources
  1
• Oil Companies Sit on 68 Million US Acres That They Have Not Drilled
  1
• Drilling Helps Big Oil, Not Hardworking Americans
  0
• Offshore Drilling is a Dirty Business
  0
• We Need Clean Energy Solutions That Benefit All Americans
  0

Offshore Oil Drilling?

• Yes
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