Dealing with a Drilling Debate

In March, President Barack Obama eased restrictions on off-shore drilling. If approved by congress, it could open another 167 acres of ocean to be explored and drilled.

Already seven companies have applied for permits to explore and survey the ocean floor of the South Carolina coast.

Senator Lindsey Graham is onboard; he is proposing a new energy plan, which would pump 37.5 % of any revenue derived from off shore drilling back into the state.

The Republican said that searching for new and cleaner sources of energy are at the top of his agenda.

"I don’t want the next generation of Americans to be more dependent on foreign oil than we are today." The Senator remarked.

Environmental groups like the Coastal Conservation League, however say any oil drilled from off shore platforms will not be enough to drive down cost or curb the countries dependence on foreign oil.


“When you look at the numbers and recognize that the United States has about three percent of global oil reserves yet we consume about 25 percent of what’s produced every year, it becomes obvious very quickly that we're not going to drill our way to independence," said Energy & Climate Director Hamilton Davis.

Davis is also concerned that if approved, building and reinforcing those off shore platform and pipelines could change the coastal landscape.

“"You look at places like the Gulf of Mexico and see huge impacts to their coastal communities in the form of oil refineries, pipelines storage facilities. And they continue to have trouble with spills during hurricanes,

The public will have their chance to weigh in on the issue. Two off shore drilling hearings will be held April 27th.