Let new tech guide energy exploration

May 30, 2017

Rep. Mark Sanford, R-S.C., recently filed a bill to suspend testing and drilling for oil and natural gas in the Atlantic coastal region for the next 10 years. This was in response to a new executive order from President Donald Trump to allow for expanded testing for offshore energy.

It's a shame to see some politicians still stuck in an out-of-date mentality. Because of that, they are jeopardizing America's future. Expanded offshore energy development will help secure America's place as the world leader in oil and natural gas production for years and years to come. Right now, our country produces more oil and natural gas than any other nation in the world. Not only is this good for our economy, it's good for our national security, as well.

In addition to being the world's largest producer of energy, we're also the world's largest consumer of it. And when we don't produce our own energy in America, that means we must rely on purchasing energy from other countries. Many times, those countries don't like us very much. They don't share our values. Too often, we're subsidizing undemocratic regimes that are out to harm America.

Having spent decades in the military, I firmly believe we should do anything we can that reduces our reliance on, and support to, unfriendly nations.

In wanting to block offshore testing and development, people like Rep. Sanford are trying to make us more reliant on these hostile, rogue nations. They want the government revenue that would be generated by offshore development that could go to balancing budgets, paying teachers, rebuilding crumbling infrastructure, and more, to go to building up those foreign countries.

What sense does that make?

What we need right now are new seismic surveys of our offshore energy supplies. The seismic surveys we have are about 30 years old, and were conducted with technology that is, by modern day standards, incredibly outdated. It's very possible that we're greatly underestimating how much oil and natural gas are out there.

And to be clear: federal regulators have studied decades of scientific research and reviewed real-world experience. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) concluded "there has been no documented scientific evidence of noise from air guns used in geological and geophysical seismic activities adversely affecting marine animal populations or coastal communities." The testing would be done by professionals who know how to conduct it safely. Those saying otherwise are just using rumors and instilling fear to justify their fiction.

People like Rep. Sanford may mean well, and have good intentions in looking to block offshore testing, new seismic surveys, and development. But we can't confuse good intentions with good results. We need to have a forward-looking energy strategy that embraces and safely delivers those abundant resources that are right beneath the ground, or just off our coastline.

America can and will do this better - and safer - than any other country. Knowing all of this, and then not taking advantage of our natural resources would be irresponsible.

America is blessed with plentiful energy resources. And as we transition off fossil to renewable energy, I say we should use our own and not give up the security and economic benefits to other countries. Especially to those we do not support, and who don't support us.

Rear Adm. William Schachte, (ret.), of Charleston, is the volunteer S.C. chairman of Vets4energy.