Gov. Mike Easley attacked John McCain's proposal to allow offshore oil drilling.
In a conference call for the Barack Obama campaign this afternoon, Easley said that McCain's proposal to end a federal moratorium on offshore drilling will not lower gas prices and would endanger the North Carolina coastline.
"People need to understand this policy will not help working families at all," he said. "It's a distraction. It's selling a quick fix that doesn't exist. They're trying to dupe the people with this policy."
Instead, Easley said that the United States should move to increase fuel efficiency, explore alternative energy and expand research on things like plug-in cars and lithium ion batteries.
Citing the work at the Advanced Transportation Energy Center at N.C. State University, Easley said technological advances could come in two to five years — much sooner than the 10 years it would potentially take to get oil from offshore drilling.
"We need to get off gasoline," he said, "not trying to deplete what little might be left."
Easley said supporters were underestimating the risks drilling could pose to tourism, real estate and recreational fishing along the coastline, arguing that drilling in Virginia or South Carolina could also hurt North Carolina.
He was joined on the call by New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine and former Florida Gov. Bob Graham.
| Easley on drilling |
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Re: Easley slams McCain over offshore oil
I am very happy that as a state we can make a decision for ourselves after we do the proper studies to really understand what the "what, where, when, how, and why potential risks, benefits and actions of drilling off our coastline truly might be. Until then, I have no opiniion, because the research has not been done for NC or I might not have seen it. Overall, yes I am in favor, but again that is speaking with seeing the research from NC's coastline.