Bringing The World Home To You

© 2024 WUNC North Carolina Public Radio
120 Friday Center Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
919.445.9150 | 800.962.9862
91.5 Chapel Hill 88.9 Manteo 90.9 Rocky Mount 91.1 Welcome 91.9 Fayetteville 90.5 Buxton 94.1 Lumberton 99.9 Southern Pines 89.9 Chadbourn
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

North Carolina Governor Opposes Offshore Drilling

an offshore drilling operation in the Gulf of Mexico
Creative Commons
/
Flickr https://flic.kr/p/mU1Qdz
File photo of Maersk Developer, operating the Hadrian-5 well for ExxonMobil about 200 miles offshore in the KC-919 field in the Gulf of Mexico, on July 6, 2011.

Governor Roy Cooper has announced his opposition to offshore drilling as the Trump Administration takes steps to reopen oil exploration in the Atlantic. 

The governor cited concerns similar to those of environmental groups, saying the risks of a potential spill outweigh economic benefits. In a news conference Thursday at Fort Macon State Park, Cooper said the state should instead focus on other forms of energy.

“Our state is a national leader in solar energy, an area that has boosted our economic recovery,” Cooper said. “Natural gas is cheaper and plentiful now.”

Industry groups say drilling would open up economic opportunities. They support seismic testing that would map the ocean floor for possible oil deposits.

In a statement, the North Carolina Petroleum Council said opposing offshore energy development hurts the state’s workers, consumers and businesses.

“The oil and natural gas industry supports over 140,000 jobs in North Carolina, contributes over $12 billion to our state economy, and impacts businesses all across the state,” the council’s Executive Director David McGowan said. “Our state is uniquely positioned to add thousands of additional jobs and increase local revenue through safe and responsible offshore energy development – all of which is disregarded by Governor Cooper’s announcement.”

McGowan said the group is particularly concerned about policies designed to stifle scientific and geological research.

Cooper’s viewpoint runs counter to those of North Carolina state Republican leaders, including former Gov. Pat McCrory, and President Donald Trump. The Obama Administration banned offshore drilling in the Atlantic shortly before President Trump took office. Trump's administration has taken steps to reverse the ban.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
 

Will Michaels is WUNC's Weekend Host and Reporter.
Related Stories
More Stories