The Beacon
Ted Testifies on Offshore Drilling
This morning Oceana board member and longtime activist Ted Danson testified in front of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources about the dangers of offshore drilling to the oceans and climate, and he called on Congress to quickly reinstate the moratoria on drilling that lapsed last year.
“Oil and water simply don’t mix,” said Danson. “While not intentional, oil spills do happen and they harm everything from the smallest ocean organisms to the largest predators in the sea.”
Danson told the Committee that the threats facing the Arctic Ocean will demand a separate planning process, and that there should be no offshore oil and gas activities in the region until there is a comprehensive science-based conservation and energy plan.
Approximately 120 million gallons of oil are discharged into the world’s oceans each year from platforms, marine transportation, vessel discharges and accidents, Danson reported.
Plus, he said, offshore oil drilling will have little if any impact on gas prices. He cited figures from the U.S. Energy Information Agency which show that even at peak production, increased drilling offshore would produce less than one percent of the current energy demand in the U.S.
Finally, he stressed the importance of a speedy transition from fossil fuels to renewable, clean and carbon-free energy, such as offshore wind and solar power. According to recent estimates, the offshore wind industry could generate nearly $950 billion in economic activity and more than 250,000 jobs over the next 20 years.
