If there was ever a time to make your voices heard, today is it.
At 11 am this morning, standing at Andrews Air Force Base with the intention of telling the military to be more energy efficient, President Barack Obama will make a proposal that seems completely counter to that idea.
Expanded offshore drilling.
Image from the New York Times
The Obama administration is proposing drilling off the previously-untapped Atlantic coast, from Delaware to Central Florida, in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and off the north coast of Alaska.
According to the New York Times, the proposal would:
…would end a longstanding moratorium on oil exploration along the East Coast from the northern tip of Delaware to the central coast of Florida, covering 167 million acres of ocean.
Under the plan the waters north of New Jersey would remain untouched, as would the entire Pacific coast.
More than 130 million acres of ocean north of Alaska would be opened to drilling after extensive studies are completed.
Obama makes this announcement today during remarks themed, “energy security,” claiming that increased domestic drilling will help cut the United States’ dependence on foreign oil. It looks very much like an attempt to please oil companies during the upcoming negotiations on climate legislation, after the richest companies in the history of the world felt left out of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES).
One thing this announcement is for sure to do is spark strong opposition from many sides.
Drilling [in the Gulf of Mexico] has been strongly opposed by officials from both political parties in Alabama and Florida who fear damage to coastlines, fisheries, popular beaches and wildlife. Interior Department officials said no wells would be allowed within 125 miles of the Florida and Alabama coasts, making them invisible from shore.
Youth are already speaking out, planning a protest at a Newt Gingrich event in Florida (on the way to Costa Rica, right?), where he will be pushing his, “Drill Here Drill Now Pay Less” message.
Youth, the millennial generation so inspired by Obama to vote in record numbers, have the most to lose from the expansion of drilling. Even some coastal governors and senators will be angry about the announcement because of the small amount of oil and huge environmental risks. If white-haired governors and senators are worried, what about young people who are thinking about protecting this coastline for us and our children, long after the tiny amounts of energy have been extracted?
This proposal is not part of an actual climate bill, though it does appear to be an attempt to bring Big Oil on board, as well as some reluctant conservative senators. Youth voices, and all voices, should speak up about the negative impacts of offshore drilling. However, climate legislation also remains a priority.
We need a comprehensive clean energy and climate bill now more than ever. Let the many representatives you helped elect know just how you feel about drilling, while reminding them we need them to step up for our environment, our economy and our future.
It need not be on an oil rig.
