Energy: Offshore Drilling Is No ‘Silver Bullet’

CHARLOTTESVILLE Virginians are being fed a hefty dose of PR lately by those who would open our coast for the first time ever to offshore oil and gas drilling. They claim that offshore drilling will bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars to Virginia, and that anyone who says otherwise is "anti-job, antienergy, and antinational security."

When you un-spin their arguments, however, the facts show otherwise. Clean energy sources -- wind and solar power, geothermal, and that great untapped powerhouse, energy efficiency -- will create more jobs by far, and faster, than offshore drilling, with much less environmental harm. And renewable, sustainable sources will provide energy security not just for a couple years, but for the long term.

According to the best oil-industry estimates, offshore drilling in Virginia could add 1,582 jobs in seven years. The 15,000 jobs promised by Vince Haley, a recent guest columnist to this paper, and other proponents will take some 30 years to materialize. In contrast, a study by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the Center for American Progress found that if America shifts $150 billion in government and private investment from fossil fuels to clean energy technology, more than 1.5 million jobs nationwide will be created in the next decade, including more than 44,000 jobs in Virginia.

Clean energy also means security for Virginia's existing jobs. According to state numbers, tourism supports 210,000 jobs and generates $18.7 billion each year. Coastal areas, such as the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Beach, are vital to and dependent on these tourism jobs and dollars. For example, saltwater sport fishing accounts for 5,541 jobs and contributes $945 million to our economy.

Opening our coast to drilling could actually threaten jobs. Just one spill, like the one from an offshore well in Australia that, despite state-of-the-art drilling technology, has been gushing oil since August, could be disastrous for Virginia's tourism and fishing industries. Routine oil leaks and pollution from oil rigs could decrease fishing yields and sully our beaches, while onshore refineries and pipelines and increased ship traffic could hinder commercial and recreational fishing.

Proponents also claim offshore drilling would yield hundreds of millions of dollars in state and local taxes, but fail to mention how those taxes would be levied in "pro-business, anti-tax" Virginia, and that localities would be burdened with providing substantial services, like fire and emergency response, for the onshore facilities. They also falsely tout revenue sharing. Federal law prohibits revenue sharing, however, with the exception of four Gulf states. Congress is not likely to change its mind on this; a Senate panel this year rejected almost 2-to-1 a proposal to expand the program.

As for energy independence, drilling offshore Virginia would barely register on the world market. The 3 million-acre area off Virginia's coast that is currently under study contains only an estimated 130 million barrels of oil and 1,140 billion cubic feet of natural gas. At current rates of consumption, this would supply the U.S. with just six days of oil and 18 days of natural gas.

By contrast, Virginia's shallow coastal waters and proximity to areas of high demand make it an ideal location for developing offshore wind, wave, tidal, and ocean current energy resources. The Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium has identified large areas of powerful winds that could supply at least 20 percent of Virginia's electricity demand every year.

In his recent column, Haley attempted to cast opponents of offshore drilling as unpatriotic. But nothing could be more true to Virginia or to the country than to safeguard our coastal resources for future generations. As the Southern Environmental Law Center, Sierra Club, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, and many other organizations advocate, investing now in developing renewable energy sources, including offshore wind, is the best bet. (Moreover, the Navy and NASA have both expressed grave concerns about the impact of drilling in areas where they have operations.)

We agree with Haley on two points, but with critical distinctions. Yes, Virginians should let Sens. Warner and Webb know they want more energy development in America -- but development of renewable and sustainable energy sources that don't hasten climate change and spoil the environment. And yes, Virginians should hold the next governor accountable to generate jobs and revenue -- but do it according to a clean energy agenda that yields substantially more jobs and revenue, and ensures a healthier future.

Marirose Pratt is an associate attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. Contact her at (434) 977-4090.