Military expert: Offshore drilling key to nation's energy independence

November 10, 2015

Palmetto Business Daily

One military expert recently said offshore drilling could do more than just boost revenue and jobs in South Carolina. It could enhance national security.

“This is a definite step in the direction of energy independence, and that’s something our forefathers I guarantee you would have supported,” retired Navy Rear Adm. William L. Schachte, Jr. told the Palmetto Business Daily.

Schachte, who served in Vietnam, said expanding energy production could save the lives of American soldiers by keeping the United States from having to be involved in oil trade with other countries. America can minimize its dependence on other nations for oil, he said, by drilling its own.

“Particularly now in the quagmire of the Middle East, we’re kowtowing to people who really just hate us and would like to destroy us, but we continue throwing money their way," Schachte said.

Developing offshore oil production would put the United States “in the driver’s seat” when it comes to the price of oil and energy, Schachte said.

“We can run that market," he said.

Still, residents of every coastal community in South Carolina have united in their opposition of offshore drilling, according to the Oceana organization.

Development of resources in the Atlantic could bring as much as $2.7 billion to the state’s economy along with the creation of 35,000 new jobs, according to the South Carolina Energy Forum.

“The amount of economic activity that will be shuttled through Georgetown (South Carolina) would be huge," State Rep. Stephen Goldfinch (R-Georgetown) told the Palmetto Business Daily. "Think of the supply ships, personnel ships, helicopter transport, food, fuel, ice, hotels, mechanics, welders, commercial divers, etc. that would be needed. But I have to emphasize that none of this matters if it can't be done safely.”

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