Economic developers, elected officials and business leaders gathered on Tuesday December 8th, in Greenville to learn more about the possibility of offshore oil exploration along our state’s coast.
From WITN
Economic developers, elected officials and business leaders gathered Tuesday in Greenville to learn more about the possibility of offshore oil exploration along our state’s coast.
North Carolina Commerce Secretary John Skvarla, as well as several oil industry experts and advocates, addressed dozens in attendance about the potential economic and environmental impacts of offshore drilling in the Carolinas.
The North Carolina East Alliance, which is a non-profit economic development group representing 24 counties, hosted the event.
Organizers say the goal was to encourage people to learn more about oil exploration before forming positions on the issue.
They say the resources off of our coast could go along way towards meeting our country’s growing energy needs.
Randall Luthl with the National Ocean Industries Association says, “We think energy development offshore of North Carolina is going to be vital to this nation in the years to come. And it won’t be in the next 5 years, it won’t be in the next 10 years, but as the world and the United States needs more energy, there’s a great potential we think for offshore energy, particularly oil and gas.”
Organizers say they’re aware that many town governments along the coast have expressed opposition to offshore drilling. They say they think providing more information could help change people’s minds.