Offshore Drilling – An Environmentally Friendly Idea?

Isn’t it common knowledge that offshore oil drilling represents a danger to the ecology of our oceans and beaches? And aren’t the oil companies the only ones with enough greed and callous disregard for the environment that they would suggest the validity of this process?

No.

Ironically, there are cases in which offshore drilling actually improves the health of the environment by reducing the volume of the natural seeps of oil and methane, which cause enormous (though not manmade) damage to the plants and animals that live in certain regions.

Readers may wish to learn about SOS California, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of natural gas and oil seep pollution on our ocean, our beaches, and our air quality. This group, co-founded by my friend Bruce Allen, points out that massive amounts of natural oil and gas seepage pollution is coming from offshore Santa Barbara California’s coastal areas. He points out that since Native Americans first arrived in coastal California, approximately 800 million barrels of oil have seeped into the coastal environment. Allen notes that peer-reviewed reports document the connection between existing Santa Barbara offshore oil production and natural seepage pollution reductions over the last 20 years and the larger natural seepage pollution reduction potential through expanded offshore oil and gas production.

According to SOS California, the tax revenues that would come from such an effort would reduce the deficit signifcantly, or fund massive efforts in the directio of renewable energy. In any case, I encourage readers to lean more about this subject, and join the cause.