A recent op-ed by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, citing its own analysis, claims oil and natural gas exploration dozens of miles offshore, far out of view, is a no-go. It cites the growing popularity of electric vehicles, their declining sticker prices and the lower cost of batteries as top reasons.
Interestingly, it left out what resources need to be used to produce the mounds of electricity to power all those batteries, and what kinds of energy will be used to manufacture all those rechargeable cars and their batteries: Safe, traditional, reliable, cost-effective and abundant forms of energy. Think oil and natural gas, from onshore – and yes, offshore – resources.
That brings us back to the offshore leasing proposal, and why it should be considered.
The development of offshore resources will help reduce the costs of manufacturing electric and traditional vehicles. That is a must-have for a state whose automotive industry, per reports, has more than 400 suppliers and other companies that employ about 66,000 workers. It would also lower the price of electricity and gasoline. That reduction would be welcomed in South Carolina, where residents, on average, spend $3,763 per year on energy – a taxing price to pay for many, especially the 15 percent in poverty or even just families living paycheck-to-paycheck.
Thanks to stringent regulations, improved techniques and innovative technologies, we can reap these lower-cost benefits, protect the environment and safeguard key industries like fishing and tourism while powering every car in the years to come, electric included.
Tim Page
State Director
Consumer Energy Alliance
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