A_Real__Change_

Do Americans realize we consume 25 percent of the world’s global supply of oil and only produce 10 percent' (Jervis, Welch, and Wolfe 1). Since we produce such a small amount of our own oil and depend heavily on hostile foreign countries for our supply, something must be done. President Bush and congress both lifted an 18-year ban on drilling off most of the United States outer continental shelf (Longton 1). According to Jad Mouawad of the New York Times, with the ban now lifted, newer, safer deepwater oilrigs such as the Millennium can go to work pumping at depths of 10,000 feet, where about 80 percent of the United States gas and oil reserves have not been explored (1-2). Drilling can be done safely now, Santa Barbara county California has just voted for new drilling off their coasts after experiencing a large oil spill in 1969 (USA Today 2). Obviously, offshore drilling is absolutely necessary to the benefit of our country. One great benefit of offshore drilling would be a reduction of the now, outrageous price of oil and natural gas. Secondly, offshore drilling will reduce our dependency on foreign oil. According to Linda Longton, “For years we have begged at the feet of foreign leaders, putting us in a position of extreme weakness and leaving us vulnerable to the situation we find ourselves in right now”(1). In addition, Longton sais we depend on it so much; $330 billion is pulled from our economy annually (1). Giving such large quantities of money to nations that have committed acts of terrorism against our country is downright ludicrous. Our dependency on foreign oil is killing our economy. If we begin to be self-sufficient, it would not only create more jobs but would strengthen the economy as well. Lastly, the greatest reason for offshore drilling is the enormous amount of untapped oil and natural gas deposits off our coasts. According to Oren Dorell of USA Today, “The Interior Department estimates there are 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of gas yet to be discovered off U.S. shores” (2). Surprisingly, 58 percent of voters polled by George Washington University support drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska which is an area currently not allowed for lease to oil companies due to federal laws (Kamalick 1-2). Some opposers of drilling offshore say that the risk of oil spills is too great; what they do not know is that technological advances in the years since the large oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara California have greatly reduced the chance of spills (USA Today 2; Lieberman 1). States that have immense oil and natural gas deposits off their coasts would be rewarded with billions of dollars in royalties (Dorell 2). With such vast amounts of unexplored resources, it seems foolish that our government has not already allowed oil companies to take advantage of them. To conclude, with offshore drilling having an approval rating of more than half, it seems like our government is not allowing us to exercise our democratic rights as Americans to choose what we do and do not want. Since Americans elected Barack Obama for “change,” and to help fix our economic infrastructure, offshore drilling is a “change” well-needed for the survival of our economy. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is extremely important to the security of our nation. Furthermore, offshore drilling is a key factor for our nation to thrive as a whole. If you want to see a real “change” please email Senator Richard Shelby at www.RichardShelby.Senate.gov.