City Council votes against off-shore drilling

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The city council unanimously voted in opposition to off-shore drilling and seismic testing tonight, much to the pleasure of a packed house at their meeting.

Both sides made their arguments by doing presentations before council made a final decision. More than 100 people against off-shore drilling turned out in blue to support saving the oceans and protecting coastal environments.They say it’s harmful to the environment and marine animals … and warn of the dangers of potential oil spills, like the one in the gulf coast in 2010.

“Oil drilling is a risky business and we don’t want that. But even if there’s no massive oil spill like that there are still environmental degradation that occur when you do have oil and gas drilling,” said Lindsey Deignan with the Surfrider Foundation.

Those in favor of the drilling say there are not nearly as many negative effects on the environment as their opposition claims, and that the seismic air-guns are not harmful to marine life.

This decision makes Wilmington the 16-th North Carolina community to have passed similar resolutions. Other communities include Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach.