Local leaders talk renewable energy

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Local leaders met at the Hilton Riverside to talk about offshore drilling in our area. Speakers presented information about renewable energy solutions and the impact they could have in out area.

A number of coastal communities have signed resolutions on opposition to offshore drilling, but folks today said people might not have all the facts.

“Well I think the primary thing is that the federal government is proposing a 50 mile buffer before any activity would take place. And that is the first time that they’ve ever proposed doing that off of the Atlantic Coast,” said Michael Whatley, the Executive Vice President of the Consumer Energy Alliance.

“We have the Obama administration on record starting that seismic activities have not scientifically been proven to negatively impact marine mammals and sea life,” said Dustin Van Liew, the Director of Regulatory and Government Affairs for the International Association of Geophysical Contractors.

Those in opposition have said they would prefer looking into other forms of renewable energy such as wind power.