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TDA talks oil issue
NEWS-TIMES
BY MARK HIBBS
PINE KNOLL SHORES — The County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) crafted on Thursday an official position statement on the question of whether it would support offshore oil exploration and drilling, but its members disagreed on weighing in on the matter.
The TDA agreed but did not vote to approve a resolution proposed by Chairman Art Schools stating that offshore oil exploration and drilling would be acceptable as long as it doesn’t impact tourism. Chairman Schools wanted to have a prepared response to questions on the issue.
That statement is as follows:
“We recognize there are advantages and disadvantages to drilling for gas and oil off of the coast, and if it does happen, we want to make sure that tourism is not negatively affected and our beautiful natural environment is protected.”
But during the discussion, member Julia Wax of Emerald Isle said she wondered why the TDA had to get involved, saying supporting the oil industry would not be in the best interest of coastal tourism here.
“I just wish tourism wasn’t expected to speak in favor of this,” she said.
TDA member Jay Barnes, director of the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, where the TDA held its meeting, agreed.
“I don’t think it should be a requirement that we take a position,” he said.
Chairman Schools, who is also mayor of Emerald Isle, said the matter of oil exploration and drilling needed to be discussed because the board and its director Carol Lohr had “gotten questions as to how the TDA feels about it.” Mayor Schools said royalties from oil drilling off the coast could possibly be used to fund beach nourishment projects here.
But several members, including innkeeper Larry Jones of the Inlet Inn in Beaufort said linking oil drilling and beach nourishment was “odd.”
“It seems out of place to me,” Mr. Jones said.
Chairman Schools said money for beach nourishment was becoming scarcer and erosion could impact county tourism.
“If we don’t have the beach, we don’t have a major component to sell,” he said.
Mrs. Wax, who operates a rental property management company on Bogue Banks, said she was “uncomfortable” linking beach nourishment to oil drilling.
“I think it’s a real devil’s bargain in the public eye,” she said, adding that environmental concerns related to oil drilling included land-based operations that would accompany the industry.
County Commissioner Greg Lewis, who also serves as a TDA member, said the county board is not promoting oil drilling but in August passed a resolution to “support exploration for natural energy resources within North Carolina’s outer continental shelf.”
Commissioner Lewis, who presented that resolution to the county board, said Thursday big economic benefits to the county are unlikely because there is no pipeline or other facilities in Eastern North Carolina. He said environmental impacts would likely prevent construction of a refinery or other infrastructure here.
“I don’t see how it’s feasible,” he said. “Nobody in the General Assembly is going to OK oil rigs or a pipeline in a tourist area.”
Robert Purifoy, whose family operates Olympus Dive Center in Morehead City, said he would prefer not to see the oil industry move into the county but his business spends $1,200 on fuel for its boats.
“We all have to get on board with the program of spending less on oil from foreign countries,” he said.
Mr. Jones said he favored energy independence but was unsure of the TDA taking a stand on the issue.
Mrs. Wax said estimates of the oil off North Carolina’s coast amount to less than a year’s supply for the nation. She said that amount was not worth the risk.
TDA member Jack Goldstein of Indian Beach said the reserves would supplement the nation’s oil supply and help ease the dependence on foreign oil. He said oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico have helped the fishing industry there.
“The oil rigs draw fish,” he said, adding that current technology offers more environmental protection than in the past.
Commissioner Lewis said energy alternatives should be considered that don’t pose a risk to the environment.
“The rest of the world for whatever reasons are not as averse to putting windmills or oil rigs off their coasts,” he said. “The pristine beaches and not-in-my-backyard arguments cannot continue forever. We’ve got to find a balance that works. The rest of the world is doing things in their backyards.”
Chairman Schools said any energy operations here should be made to ensure tourism is not adversely affected.
“We just want to make sure it’s done right if it gets done,” he said.
The TDA agreed but did not vote to approve a resolution proposed by Chairman Art Schools stating that offshore oil exploration and drilling would be acceptable as long as it doesn’t impact tourism. Chairman Schools wanted to have a prepared response to questions on the issue.
That statement is as follows:
“We recognize there are advantages and disadvantages to drilling for gas and oil off of the coast, and if it does happen, we want to make sure that tourism is not negatively affected and our beautiful natural environment is protected.”
But during the discussion, member Julia Wax of Emerald Isle said she wondered why the TDA had to get involved, saying supporting the oil industry would not be in the best interest of coastal tourism here.
“I just wish tourism wasn’t expected to speak in favor of this,” she said.
TDA member Jay Barnes, director of the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, where the TDA held its meeting, agreed.
“I don’t think it should be a requirement that we take a position,” he said.
Chairman Schools, who is also mayor of Emerald Isle, said the matter of oil exploration and drilling needed to be discussed because the board and its director Carol Lohr had “gotten questions as to how the TDA feels about it.” Mayor Schools said royalties from oil drilling off the coast could possibly be used to fund beach nourishment projects here.
But several members, including innkeeper Larry Jones of the Inlet Inn in Beaufort said linking oil drilling and beach nourishment was “odd.”
“It seems out of place to me,” Mr. Jones said.
Chairman Schools said money for beach nourishment was becoming scarcer and erosion could impact county tourism.
“If we don’t have the beach, we don’t have a major component to sell,” he said.
Mrs. Wax, who operates a rental property management company on Bogue Banks, said she was “uncomfortable” linking beach nourishment to oil drilling.
“I think it’s a real devil’s bargain in the public eye,” she said, adding that environmental concerns related to oil drilling included land-based operations that would accompany the industry.
County Commissioner Greg Lewis, who also serves as a TDA member, said the county board is not promoting oil drilling but in August passed a resolution to “support exploration for natural energy resources within North Carolina’s outer continental shelf.”
Commissioner Lewis, who presented that resolution to the county board, said Thursday big economic benefits to the county are unlikely because there is no pipeline or other facilities in Eastern North Carolina. He said environmental impacts would likely prevent construction of a refinery or other infrastructure here.
“I don’t see how it’s feasible,” he said. “Nobody in the General Assembly is going to OK oil rigs or a pipeline in a tourist area.”
Robert Purifoy, whose family operates Olympus Dive Center in Morehead City, said he would prefer not to see the oil industry move into the county but his business spends $1,200 on fuel for its boats.
“We all have to get on board with the program of spending less on oil from foreign countries,” he said.
Mr. Jones said he favored energy independence but was unsure of the TDA taking a stand on the issue.
Mrs. Wax said estimates of the oil off North Carolina’s coast amount to less than a year’s supply for the nation. She said that amount was not worth the risk.
TDA member Jack Goldstein of Indian Beach said the reserves would supplement the nation’s oil supply and help ease the dependence on foreign oil. He said oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico have helped the fishing industry there.
“The oil rigs draw fish,” he said, adding that current technology offers more environmental protection than in the past.
Commissioner Lewis said energy alternatives should be considered that don’t pose a risk to the environment.
“The rest of the world for whatever reasons are not as averse to putting windmills or oil rigs off their coasts,” he said. “The pristine beaches and not-in-my-backyard arguments cannot continue forever. We’ve got to find a balance that works. The rest of the world is doing things in their backyards.”
Chairman Schools said any energy operations here should be made to ensure tourism is not adversely affected.
“We just want to make sure it’s done right if it gets done,” he said.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of carolinacoastonline.com.
dch wrote on Sep 14, 2008 10:33 AM:
" this is idiotic! tda endorsing offshore drilling? what kind of misinformed person could possibly condone that action. imagine what just one oil spill would do to our fragile coastal habitat. mr. schools, please, there will ALWAYS BE A BEACH as long as there is an ocean. if you choose to build your castle on the sand, the beach may be behind your house one day instead of in front of it, that's a chance one takes but, there will ALWAYS BE A BEACH.
just like a drug addict we need to break our dependence on oil, not feed it. offshore drilling is a terrible choice for our county, our state, and our country. "
just like a drug addict we need to break our dependence on oil, not feed it. offshore drilling is a terrible choice for our county, our state, and our country. "
Louise Styron Jones wrote on Sep 14, 2008 11:15 AM:
" You need wind mills like the ones on the Great Smoky Mountains right behind my house here in TN. They are rather pretty all turning in unison. And, for goodness sake, get on the bandwagon for off shore wells. How many oil spills do you hear about ? Oil wells have a certain amount of romantic quality with the derricks against the afternoon sky. "
lowtider wrote on Sep 15, 2008 9:20 AM:
" Having the TDA support offshore drilling is like asking me if I want a broccoli omlete for breakfast. I know it would be good for me but I'd rather have a waffle.
If you don't want windmills or oil rigs, how about a nuclear power plant? Then you would have a reliable source of energy for your electric cars.
Oh, you don't want that either. Hmmm, and all the while I thought you were all about change. It is amazing how conservative liberals become on NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) issues. "
If you don't want windmills or oil rigs, how about a nuclear power plant? Then you would have a reliable source of energy for your electric cars.
Oh, you don't want that either. Hmmm, and all the while I thought you were all about change. It is amazing how conservative liberals become on NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) issues. "
jeff herring wrote on Sep 16, 2008 9:21 AM:
" Just what kind of oil development do you folks think you will get?
I grew up in Carteret county and spend many years in the oil fields of Colorado, Wyoming , Texas, California, etc.
Take it from me, there is only one possible source of jobs that you would get.
An that is: Oil and Gas Refinery/ Chemical Manufacturing Complex.
The only location suitable for this is Radio Island - within 2 miles of both downtown Morehead and Beaufort. A deep chanel is needed for shipping and oil pipelines would come in from offshore through the inlet. Have any of you fine folks ever lived near a refinery? I have -- It's an environmental disaster, completely inconsistent with clean air and water, as well as visually ugly with a stench that travels for miles. Remember the old fish factory that used to be over by Carteret Tech - I do. That was nothing compared to a refinery.
Also, no one in the county has the expertise or experience to perform any of these jobs, so Texans most likley, will be moved in and you will only get crumbs.
Don't buy into this oil industry lobbying effort. They just want to show you all who is boss. They can manufacture an oil shortage anytime they want to to get their way because we are too complacent to do anything about it and our politicans at the national level are in thier pocket.
Do not destroy Cartert County for the sake of this nonsense. "
I grew up in Carteret county and spend many years in the oil fields of Colorado, Wyoming , Texas, California, etc.
Take it from me, there is only one possible source of jobs that you would get.
An that is: Oil and Gas Refinery/ Chemical Manufacturing Complex.
The only location suitable for this is Radio Island - within 2 miles of both downtown Morehead and Beaufort. A deep chanel is needed for shipping and oil pipelines would come in from offshore through the inlet. Have any of you fine folks ever lived near a refinery? I have -- It's an environmental disaster, completely inconsistent with clean air and water, as well as visually ugly with a stench that travels for miles. Remember the old fish factory that used to be over by Carteret Tech - I do. That was nothing compared to a refinery.
Also, no one in the county has the expertise or experience to perform any of these jobs, so Texans most likley, will be moved in and you will only get crumbs.
Don't buy into this oil industry lobbying effort. They just want to show you all who is boss. They can manufacture an oil shortage anytime they want to to get their way because we are too complacent to do anything about it and our politicans at the national level are in thier pocket.
Do not destroy Cartert County for the sake of this nonsense. "
Dave wrote on Sep 16, 2008 12:36 PM:
" Louise...with the current offshore drilling package ready to be voted on in the House oil drilling is limited to a minimum of 50 miles offshore. When is the last time you have been able to see something that is 50 miles offshore? The obvious answer is that you can't.
I have to agree with lowtider on the NIMBY issues. Sooner or later something has to be done, whether it windmills, nuclear, offshore oil, solar ect. How can you complain about energy prices and then turn around and reject any new development just because it is near you. It has to go in someones back yard "
I have to agree with lowtider on the NIMBY issues. Sooner or later something has to be done, whether it windmills, nuclear, offshore oil, solar ect. How can you complain about energy prices and then turn around and reject any new development just because it is near you. It has to go in someones back yard "
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J wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:19 AM: