MYRTLE BEACH, SC- The United States Bureau of Ocean Management is trying to open the Mid and South-Atlantic Ocean to off-shore drilling and exploration; however, several east coast cities have gone on record opposing it. Myrtle Beach City Council decided Tuesday to postpone the discussion to a later date.
According to Myrtle Beach Spokesman Mark Kruea, city leaders wanted to know more information before making a decision.
“There are lots of questions to be answered,” he said.
A major concern is its effect on the tourism industry, which is the foundation of Myrtle Beach’s economy.
“You can’t help but look at what the Gulf Coast experienced with the oil spill that was there, their tourism suffered,” said Kruea.
Coastal Carolina University Director of Marine and Wetland Studies Dr. Paul Gayes said effects on the environment should also be taken into account.
“There’s issues with carbon, there’s issues with mercury, there’s issues with direct spills and what not,” said Gayes.
Those in support of off-shore drilling say it could lead to more jobs.
“There’s going to be impacts positive, they’ll be impacts negative regardless of what we do,” stated Gayes.
While Myrtle Beach City Council debates over the issue, Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce released a statement:
“ While we remain wary of any potential negative impact on tourism, we support environmentally-conscious drilling for natural gas off the coast of South Carolina at a safe distance that will minimize the risk to our state’s coastal environment, tourism industry and real estate values.”