A former UNCW chancellor and a scientist will lead a study on whether offshore drilling is feasible off the North Carolina coast.
Legislative leaders announced Wednesday the members of a committee to examine the effects of oil or natural gas exploration. The chairmen will be former UNCW chancellor James Leutze and Doug Rader, the chief oceans scientist for the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund.
Researchers, industry and environmental representatives, and residents will review research on drilling, hold hearings and examine its economic benefits and costs.
Guess you folks haven't heard...
When President Obama signed the executive order yesterday, suspending all pending Bush executive orders, one of those affected was the division of lease areas that were authorized by the Congressional vote last Fall.
No offshore drilling until the new regime says it's okay.
Do we have any betting men in the audience....?
On a related issue, with Leutze and the EDF involved, this will in no way, shape, or form be a feasibility study. It will be a "stop any and all exploratory drilling" move. It's like having Sarah Brady write the new DC handgun laws.
Save the wails (mournful sounds)
I'm disappointed that such an important resource will be left in the hands of a scholastic and an activist.
We all know where this is going.
Nowhere.
Oh Yeah
This is gonna turn out well. Hopefully they won't come up with a report until gas hits $5 a gallon.