Drilling Off The Coast Of Florida

Drilling Off The Coast Of Florida

Drilling Off The Coast Of Florida

I have been trying to deal with the frustration and anger that I have toward the whole oil spill situation. Above all I would like to express my condolences for the families and loved ones of the people that lost their lives in this explosion. For years, I have argued with my friends, colleagues, and associates over the topic of oil drilling close to our coasts. Being a small business owner, I run into several people that tend to favor the continuation of our reliance on this substance. Many times my capitalist card was questioned, and I have actually lost associates because I would not acquiesce to the "need" to drill off our coasts.

Saying I told you so or rubbing in the victory in the argument does not change the horrific outcome. And like many other things that I have predicted in politics, I truly wish that I were the one that was proven wrong. The losses to wildlife, plant life and economic resources are incalculable at the moment and it's only going to get worse before it gets better. This is seemingly the new mantra for Florida.

As more details emerge there will be all sorts of finger pointing and negotiation as to who did what and who will do what. Ultimately, BP will pay for some of the clean up, the oil industry will pay for some of the clean up, and we will pay for some of the clean up. That is just the beginning.

If you can put a price on species loss what would it be? There are several that are in peril in the region. If you could predict what the losses to fishing and shellfish industries what number would you put that at? How about the loss to beach and boating tourism? With tourism and housing already suffering, what industries do we have to pick up the slack in the State's economy? Who is going to have to deal with those costs? Well, we will find out and we get to do it the hard way.

Some of the major questions I have with this situation are:

How are BP and the larger industry talking about limiting their responsibility to millions when damage is already in the billions? Add to that - were they not one of the largest profits on record for the last couple of years?

Just exactly how many procedural rules and regulations were broken with regard to this rig and how many more out there are in the same position?

What is the estimated amount of oil in the coasts? Do the risks and costs justify the action? Is there even enough left to cover the costs associated with the spill? When asked about the rumor that there was a very limited supply in the coasts - about enough to make a week to ten days in the world supply, the spokesperson for the industry did not answer.

As a fiscal conservative and a conservationist, it is my opinion that we cannot afford to continue efforts to expand drilling off the coasts. We cannot afford to allow more potential disasters with limited obligation by the oil companies. We should not allow other countries to drill within our national boundaries. We must end this addiction to an energy source that profits few and burdens many. Most of our political entanglements throughout the globe revolve around the thirst for this commodity. Bio-Diesel, Natural Gas, and Nuclear energy if combined could significantly reduce our dependence on petroleum. The money that this clean up alone is going to cost could have been well utilized in helping ramp up the production and planning for the conversion to Bio-Diesel and Natural Gas. The money that it costs to build and operate a rig that will not produce for close to ten years could go a long way to doing the same - especially when you talk about the potential for hundreds of rigs. The oil industry claims to be the leader in alternative exploration and development - let them put their money where their mouth is. I for one grow very tired of paying for others' mistakes. Alas, this is the way of contemporary politics..UNLESS!!!

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