Petition opposing offshore drilling in SC starts in Beaufort

Article originally published in the Island Packet on October 8, 2014

The cry against offshore drilling has been taken up recently by Beaufort residents, with more than 400 signing a petition to prevent oil exploration efforts that they believe could harm the environment and damage tourism.

Inspired by Mayor Billy Keyserling, who has been urging constituents for months to write federal and state elected officials, Beaufort resident Megan Feight started a petition last week on Change.org. It had 432 signature as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Hilton Head Island Mayor Drew Laughlin stated his concerns with offshore drilling during a candidate's forum.

"I understand the need for oil exploration, but I'm opposed to any offshore drilling or exploration that has a chance to affect the quality of life in this community," Laughlin said. "If there's a disaster, what happens?"

Laughlin seeks to retain his seat against four challengers in the Nov. 4 general election.

Challenger David Bennett said he opposes offshore drilling.

"Our economy depends on tourism, and that in turn depends on the beaches," he said. "I think, given the recent examples of oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and other places, the risk is just too high for (Hilton Head)."

Challengers Joe DuBois and Cork James say they support oil exploration as long as the offshore rigs would not be visible.

"We need to know if it's there," James said. "If it's out there, let's tap into it."

Challenger Rochelle Williams said she doesn't have an opinion on the matter.

Feight doesn't think her petition will change the minds of many South Carolina politicians but wants to raise awareness. She hopes the response will force companies and politicians to keep residents informed about plans for offshore oil exploration and possible drilling after that.

"Someone needs to be a voice for the environment," she said. "They're bigger than us. I know it's pushed that it will bring jobs, but is it worth ruining our coast for the jobs and money?"

Until Tuesday's mayoral candidate forum, little opposition has been expressed publicly on Hilton Head Island, even as the federal government makes plans to conduct seismic testing off the Southeastern United States, including South Carolina, to explore for oil.

Neither the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, nor the Hilton Head Island Realtors Association have taken a position on offshore drilling, planning to wait on more developments to take a stance, officials from both organizations said.

The Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce does not have an official position either, but it does support a statewide energy plan that protects the coastal environment, spokeswoman Jaime Dailey-Vergara said.

Feight said she was shocked more people haven't expressed their concerns about offshore drilling and hoped that her petition would help spread awareness about the issue.

Offshore drilling may be a long way off, but testing for oil could start as early as next year. The U.S. Bureau of Offshore Energy Management will open a swath of the Atlantic coast from Delaware to central Florida for seismic testing, which uses air guns to create sound pulses to search for oil deposits.

Nine companies have filed geophysical and geological permits with BOEM to test the Atlantic waters, spokeswoman Connie Gillette said. Testing is expected to start sometime next year, but an exact date is still unclear, she said.

Scientists differ on whether the geology off South Carolina's coast will yield oil. But many of the state's leaders hope it will, seeing the industry as bringing a potential economic boon to the state.

Feight addresses her petition to U.S. Sens. Tim Scott and Sen. Lindsey Graham, and Gov. Nikki Haley, all of whom support offshore drilling.

Keyserling says he'll also keep up the pressure because he's concerned offshore drilling and exploration could harm the state's coastal tourism industry and the environment.

"On the street I hear, 'Billy, you're absolutely right,' " he said. "But there are others who say, 'There is no oil,' and ask why I'm raising such a big fuss."

Island Packet staff writer Dan Burley contributed to this report.

Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/10/08/3359367_petition-opposing-offshore-drilling.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 9:53 PM with the headline "Petition opposing offshore drilling in SC starts in Beaufort."