 |
| ||||||
Text Size 
• Email • Printer Friendly
|
Saturday, September 13, 2008 3:00 AM Bill gives option on offshore drilling By Matt Shaw | Times Staff Writer The U.S. House will consider legislation as soon as next week to permit more offshore oil exploration and drilling, including off the coast of North Carolina, U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield said Friday night. However, the bill will likely give state legislatures the right to opt in or out. The current moratorium on offshore drilling is set to expire at the end of September, said Butterfield, a Wilson Democrat and a congressman since 2004. Butterfield and other members of the U.S. House "are poised to introduce a comprehensive energy policy" that will replace the moratorium, he said. They plan to allow offshore drilling only beyond 50 miles from the shore, he said. Current federal laws allow drilling up to three miles of the shore. Bill writers originally planned to allow drilling off Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the west coast of Florida, "but I didn't think it was appropriate to single out the Southeast," he said. So now the proposal is to allow drilling off anywhere along the U.S. Coast as long as individual states approve it. So the decision will be in the hands of legislatures, he said. A portion of the profits from oil revenues would be invested in alternative and renewable energy technology, he said. The bill should be introduced in the House by Tuesday and could pass the House during the week. Butterfield does not have any idea of its prospects in the Senate or whether President Bush will sign it. Butterfield was back in town as a guest speaker at New Christian Food Pantry & Child Development Center's annual food drive and benefit program, held Friday night at the L.N. Forbes Tabernacle on Lane Street. mshaw@wilsontimes.com | 265-7878 |
| Add Comment: | |  | | (All comments must be approved) |
| View Comments: | | | | (0 comments) |
Most Popular
 |
 |
 |
