So in the run-up to the election I've been paying close attention to the candidates' energy policies. I'm sure you've heard the phrase "Drill Baby Drill" at some point on the campaign trail. At first I was completely opposed to the thought. In this age of technology, using fossil fuels seems so antiquated to me. Plus, in my heart of hearts I feel we need to rid ourselves of not just foreign oil but domestic oil too. Of course since so much of our society is based on petroleum, it will take a while to alter the infrastructure to support renewable energy like solar and wind. So I've opened my closed mind just a little to the idea of offshore drilling. I want to look at it solely from a weather perspective though. If the federal ban on offshore drilling is lifted, the entire west coast would be available for drilling as well as the entire gulf coast, and the east coast from Cape Canaveral, Florida to the Canadian border. That is some serious real estate when you consider that the only offshore drilling allowed right now is from Alabama to Texas.
The huge problem I see with drilling off the Gulf side of Florida and the east coast of Florida up through the Carolinas is the high risk of hurricanes. Look at how much oil prices fluctuate when a hurricane moves in to the Gulf of Mexico. Then when it hits, production is shut down, sending gas prices through the roof. Look at what happened after Hurricane Ike. The Southeast was in a gas shortage for weeks. Gas was $4.00 a gallon, if you could even find it! Now increase the area for drilling and you put more and more platforms in harms way.
Let's say for example we start drilling off the west coast of Florida and increase domestic production by 10% as a result. Great! That means we can reduce foreign imports by 10%. Now say a major hurricane slams right into the middle of newly built platforms and makes landfall in Tampa. Not only does a major metropolitan suffer substantial infrastructure and insurance losses but now we're right back at square one with oil. Less production, higher prices, and all of us paying more at the pump. Then imagine the outrage if there is a spill that blackens the beaches of tourist dependant Florida. How long will it be before it's cleaned up and the tourists return? Florida, and the U.S. for that matter, cannot afford that kind of natural, environmental, and economic disaster. I know I'm basing my argument here off of assumption but it could happen. I wouldn't have a problem with offshore drilling if you could guarantee they wouldn't be hit, but we all know that there are no guarantees in weather.
Let me remind you, I am not endorsing any candidate in this election, and both support offshore drilling. Don't forget to vote.
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