In recent years, oil and gas exploration especially offshore
is growing and industry giants like Exxon, chevron and shell are looking for
new opportunities especially in the area where exploration was not carried out
previously. Recently, they have eyes on a US government proposed five year
leasing plan, which will allow drilling in Atlantic, Arctic and Gulf of Mexico.
Some of these areas are considered risky for exploration and drilling due to
extreme weather conditions and other hurdles. A wave of unrest has spread among
more than 100 coastal communities against offshore exploration in their areas. Virginia
people are especially very concerned about such drilling. Oil and gas giants
are fully using their political and social powers to get access to US resources
but voice of Virginians is very clear to protect their coastline and beaches.
![]() |
photo credit: EPI2oh |
Stance of Virginia Governor:
Virginia governor McAuliffe (elected in 2014) is the part of
OCSGC (outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition)
and this coalition is fully supporting and behind the opening of Atlantic
shores for the Oil and gas drilling and exploration. McAuliffe supports his
stance by pointing that such drilling will open new jobs for Virginia but
people are not convinced by his point.
Stance of Virginians:
In a democracy, people are aware of the power of their opinion
and voice. Virginians including volunteers, coastal business men, local
citizens and environmental activists are continuing pressure to vanish or limit
drilling plans. People are not accepting the false promises of job openings. This
promise doesn’t really seems realistic as recent drop in oil and gas prices and
cut down of job openings is already hitting the sector. Everyone has his own
reasons to oppose drillings. Volunteers and local citizens believe that their health
beaches attract tourists and tourism sector is supporting their local economy much
better then offshore explorations. Their concerns regarding safety and marine life are real.
The volunteers who have worked in the Gulf of Mexico after
BP Deep-water Horizon spill are well aware of the after effects of offshore incidents. They have seen beaches
full of oil, dead fishes and turtles choked with oil. They are afraid of such
incidents in Virginia waters and determined to save their community and beaches.
Even minor leaks which are certainly unavoidable cause damage to local marine
life and ecosystem. It is definite that after the startup of offshore drilling,
Virginia beaches will never be same as before and this will also hit small
coastal business.
Some local officials are also against the drilling like Revenue
Commissioner Philip Kellam is also giving statements. One of his statement he
said that he is worried about impacts of drilling on Virginia ecosystem
especially oyster economy.
There is still much to be done to protect Virginia and other
coastal areas. It is expected that government will finalize this five years leasing
plan within this month and after that there will be a period of 90 days for
public to comment on this plan. This will be the biggest opportunity for Virginia
and other states to express their concerns and make a farm stance either in
favor or against the decision.
Now it will be clear in near future how community will
support these people and help to bring their voice to president Obama. Let us
know in comments what you think about this.
No comments:
Post a Comment