South Carolina politician speaks up for Atlantic offshore drilling
New York: A South Carolina US congressman joined pro-drilling campaigners to put the case for Atlantic offshore oil and gas drilling at a public forum on the controversial issue on Wednesday.
Republican member of the House of Representatives Jeff Duncan spoke at the Mount Pleasant event, organised by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Duncan talked about the employment and economic benefits that the plan, proposed by the federal administration, could bring.
“It’s all about jobs,” said Duncan. “South Carolina and the South Atlantic areas have a good opportunity to play a role in American energy security.”
A number of drilling opponents also attended the forum and voiced their concerns about the risk of spillage and environmental damage.
The proposal would approve exploration and possible drilling off the coasts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
A dozen US Senate Democrats from northeast states lodged their written objections to the plan on Monday.