I adore the idea and goal of increasing our country’s energy independence from oil and oil-producing nations as much if not more than the average American. But I also adore the Atlantic coast, having grown up on the Long Island Sound in Connecticut, working and summering in Coastal Maine and spending time on New Jersey and Massachusetts shores. The vision of oil rigs bobbing in the waves just south of Cape May down to the northern coast of Florida gives me some icy feelings (New Jersey politicians and the NJ chapter of the Sierra Club share these sentiments). Similar reaction is coming from environmentalists. Previous general debunking of how this drilling won’t help us reach energy independence is presented by Sheryl Canter at Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate411 blog, and today, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune had this to say:
“Drilling our coasts will doing nothing to lower gas prices or create energy independence. It will only jeopardize beaches, marine life, and coastal tourist economies, all so the oil industry can make a short-term profit.
…
“There’s no reason to drill our coasts. We can achieve real energy independence and economic vitality by investing in clean energy like wind and solar and efficiency. This kind of power creates good, lasting American jobs and positions our nation to become a global leader in the new clean energy economy.”
Basically, my April fool’s prank would be to put oil rigs in every body of water President Obama must see and/or pass in Washington but you can read more about my tempered approach to yesterday’s announcement at my BlogHer post.