Response to Bush Administration Proposal for Drilling
January 16, 2009
Today Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) scorned a draft Bush Administration proposal to open up 2 million acres off the coast of Mendocino for oil exploration in 2014. The “Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2010-2015” issued by the Minerals Management Service lays out the proposed five year plan for managing oil and gas leasing in the OCS. Under the Bush Administration, the ban on drilling in the OCS expired last year.
“As the door closes on the Bush Administration, I'm not surprised that they are pulling one more political stunt,” said Congressman Thompson. “Drilling off our coast would do nothing to end our dependence on foreign oil, and would have no impact on gas prices at the pump. Studies show that there is about 2 billion barrels off of the Mendocino Coast, which would satisfy U.S. demand for oil for less than 100 days. There is simply not enough oil off the coast to justify the risk that drilling poses.”
The North Coast of California is home to one of only four upwelling ecosystems in the world. This upwelling system brings nutrient rich water from the ocean floor to the surface and is vital to maintaining the fisheries that support California's $200 million fishing industry.
“Despite advances in offshore drilling equipment, oil spills are still a regular occurrence,” said Congressman Thompson. “Even with advanced warning, Hurricanes Rita and Katrina caused 124 oil spills of over 741,000 gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. And the cost for cleanup of these spills is tremendous- when the Cosco Busan freighter spilled in the San Francisco Bay, 50,000 gallons of fuel oiled 50 miles of beaches. Clean-up costs may yet exceed $60 million, averaging out to over $1200 per gallon of fuel spilled. We cannot afford to let that happen.”
Last week, Congressman Thompson introduced legislation that would would permanently prohibit oil and gas drilling off the coasts of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.
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“As the door closes on the Bush Administration, I'm not surprised that they are pulling one more political stunt,” said Congressman Thompson. “Drilling off our coast would do nothing to end our dependence on foreign oil, and would have no impact on gas prices at the pump. Studies show that there is about 2 billion barrels off of the Mendocino Coast, which would satisfy U.S. demand for oil for less than 100 days. There is simply not enough oil off the coast to justify the risk that drilling poses.”
The North Coast of California is home to one of only four upwelling ecosystems in the world. This upwelling system brings nutrient rich water from the ocean floor to the surface and is vital to maintaining the fisheries that support California's $200 million fishing industry.
“Despite advances in offshore drilling equipment, oil spills are still a regular occurrence,” said Congressman Thompson. “Even with advanced warning, Hurricanes Rita and Katrina caused 124 oil spills of over 741,000 gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. And the cost for cleanup of these spills is tremendous- when the Cosco Busan freighter spilled in the San Francisco Bay, 50,000 gallons of fuel oiled 50 miles of beaches. Clean-up costs may yet exceed $60 million, averaging out to over $1200 per gallon of fuel spilled. We cannot afford to let that happen.”
Last week, Congressman Thompson introduced legislation that would would permanently prohibit oil and gas drilling off the coasts of Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties.
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Issues:Energy & Environment