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11:17 a.m. • 2-11-12

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N.C. delegates debate offshore drilling


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Democrats are committed to making their week in Denver the greenest convention ever, pushing delegates to recycle and incorporating alternative sources of energy into events.

The use of wind and natural gas and the thoughts of lower fuel prices raise a question among some of North Carolina's 134 delegates: Should the state be able to explore and drill for oil off the state's coast?

"There is no way in the world that I, as a Democrat, would ever agree to drilling offshore, and I'm hoping I can convey that to all the Democrats in North Carolina," said Charles Johnson, a delegate from Rocky Mount who is attending his sixth convention. "We do not need our coastlines littered with oil droppings."

Ed Booth, who has spent his life near or on the water in Beaufort County, said he's concerned, but he understands the nation's focus on energy.

"I don't have a problem with offshore drilling if they find out it is environmentally safe and it does not hurt the fishing industry, especially in North Carolina," Booth said.

Booth is open to new ideas, as is 2nd District Congressman Bob Etheridge.

"We need a Manhattan Project or a moon-type project, so to speak – it's got to have a 10-year goal – to put the United States back in control of our destiny. We can't be in control of our destiny if the only thing we do is drill," Etheridge said.

The Lillington Democrat said the next administration should expand the focus on biofuel production, noting North Carolina State University scientists already are heavily involved in such research.

"One of the things we have to be careful about (with offshore drilling) is (that) they call the North Carolina coast the 'graveyard of the Atlantic' for a reason," he said.

RELATED TOPICS: Beaufort County, NC State University, Rep. Bob Etheridge, Offshore Drilling Restrictions

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24 Comments


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No for drilling.

"Oil rigs in NC waters would boost our state economy in so many ways,..." mep

I don't know what you're on, but I want to try some of it.

mep, to suggest that oil platforms and their enviable spills are beneficial to the volume of fish is the craziest thing I have heard since your diatribe a week ago about "correct christian values". Your perspective is neither Christian or in the best interest of NC. PLEASE, PLEASE find your way back to texas where you can play around all the oil platforms you want!

Offshore drilling actually ATTRACTS fish. Growing up in Texas, we use to tie our boat off a rig and catch a lot more fish than if we just trolled around. I also like to scuba dive off of oil rigs. Again, lots of fish. There has not been a significant oil spill from a rig in decades. There is also a HUGE number of support jobs associated with offshore rigs. Heck, I am all for NC building a refinery or two. Oil rigs in NC waters would boost our state economy in so many ways, and keep our hard earned dollars away from foriegn oil. The dems just dont like the idea. The want everyone but themselves to ride bikes.

again, we export over a million barrel each day. why?

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