Foes of drilling say new technology won't stop oil spills

http://www.wtsp.com/video/default.aspx?aid=90678

News story that ran Sept 18, on WTSP Connect10, the Tampa Bay CBS affiliate, one of the local stations not able to cover the Monday press conference. Reporter Mike Deeson included some great visuals.

Foes of drilling say new technology won't stop oil spills

Those opposed to drilling off the coast of Florida are pointing to an oil spill in Australia as proof that new rig technology won't stop spills that could damages beaches.
Clearwater, Florida - The Coast Guard has documented more than 239,000 oil spills across the globe between 1973 and 2001.
The most recent one in Australia at the West Atlas oil rig operated by a Thailand government-owned company. It's thought to have been leaking since an accident caused the rig's evacuation on August 21. The leak may not be stopped for another six weeks.
That massive oil spill is becoming the poster child for those opposed to off-shore drilling in Florida.
Phil Compton of the Sierra Club says if the Australian oil spill were superimposed off the coast of Pinellas, it would cover the beaches and spell disaster for the tourism industry. Compton says the way the current runs off Florida, any spill would loop around the state and damage the beaches on both the west and east coasts.
Compton points out the rig that caused the spill in Australia was more than 200 miles from the shore. [note: I said more than 200 km – oh well] Lawmakers in Florida are talking about allowing oil rigs three miles from the coastline.
In August of 1993, a tanker and ship collided off the Pinellas coast and oil in the form of tar balls blackened the pristine beaches for months. Birds and other wildlife were covered with oil as a result of the accident, and the tourism industry took a hit.
However, Tom Rask with the Florida Grass Roots Energy Forum says you can't compare a tanker accident with an oil rig. Rask, who once worked on oil rigs and now runs a tourist-related Internet site, says the new technology developed for oil rigs makes them much safer. He admits there can be an accident, but adds there is nothing sure in life and he believes the oil rigs are now safe and the oil industry can help Florida's economy.
Compton says the exact kind of technology used in the oil rigs off the Australian coast is the technology that would be used in the rigs off the coast of Florida.
Those opposed to the drilling say it doesn't make sense to gamble the $5 billion that the drilling could add to the economy versus the $50 billion in tourism that could be destroyed with one spill.
Last year, the Florida House passed a bill that would have allowed drilling, but the Senate didn't not pass the bill. The new incoming Senate President, Mike Haridopolos, says he favors off-shore drilling and may call a special session to get it approved.
Compton says if that happens, there isn't much those opposed can do, except keep their fingers crossed that an oil spill doesn't occur.
How do you feel about plans for offshore drilling in Florida? Leave a comment below and let us know. [note: comments running very favorably and with great points being made on our side]
10 Connects News


Phil Compton, Regional Representative
Sierra Club Florida Regional Office
111 Second Ave NE, Suite 1001, St Petersburg, FL 33701
727-824-8813, ext. 303 813-841-3601:cell
Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet www.sierraclub.org