Mitt Romney's plan to make the nation energy independent by 2020 starts with offshore drilling for oil in the Carolinas and Virginia.
The Republican presidential candidate previewed the plan Wednesday and plans a larger announcement today, the Washington Post reported. Romney wants to allow states to lease federal lands for oil, coal and natural gas development. Read more here.
The Republican-dominated state legislature in North Carolina is likely to endorse the plan, considering they too want more drilling off the coast as part of a compact with other states.
Comments
ummm, errrr, its natural gas
August 24, 2012 - 5:01am — halifaxresolvesummm, errrr, its natural gas out there, not oil.
You can't "spill" natural gas. It evaporates into the thin air.
You have been reading to many enviromentalista propoganda leaflets.
Sounds as if the adults will be in charge
August 24, 2012 - 5:00am — halifaxresolvesDrill Here.
Drill Now
Energy independence can be at hand.
drill baby drill
August 23, 2012 - 7:11pm — BIGFANLets get on with it. Just imagine no more being held hostage by the BIG OIL I dont see anytime soon we're going to be driving electric cars,.
Drill Here Drill Now
August 23, 2012 - 4:51pm — kmisegadesOur Governess Perdue has her millions from her Daddy's coal mines in western VA. Why shouldn't the citizens of NC have the same chance to profit from the resources under their feet and off shore? Exploration technology is amazing these days, especially horizontal drilling and fracking. Drill under my house in Cary if they want, I am ready with my shovel.
Spill baby spill
August 23, 2012 - 2:13pm — Guitarman51Do you really want oil washing up in Nags Head or Atlantic Beach or anywhere along our coast? Revenue from coastal tourism benefits the state far more than any jobs produced by drilling.
Like what, more investments
August 23, 2012 - 1:38pm — RootBoySlim66Like what, more investments in Solyndra-like companies that are doomed to fail. We do not have a cost-effective technology right now that allows us to get away from using oil.
Me, I'd rather see us use our own resources to create jobs and wealth that stays in the US, instead of shipping our wealth to Middle-East countries that sponsor terrorism against us.
Drill baby drill!
August 23, 2012 - 12:49pm — conservDrill here - drill now!
YOU ARE INCORRECT
August 23, 2012 - 12:16pm — NBCNEWSNC does have oil offshore, and from what experts have noted possibly a large amount. Yes NC has natural gas too, but it's the oil everyone is concerned with.
There will never be drilling off the coast of NC
August 23, 2012 - 12:15pm — bestsarahThe rich folk own all the oceanfront property and therefore will never allow drilling off our coast. It is not about protecting the environment but about protecting their investment beach real estate. Poor people can hardly even get to the ocean anymore. What few public access sites there are have started charging parking fees.
The rich people will protect their oceanfront. And yes, both Republicans and Democrats own the beachfront property.
Don't fret, it will never happen.
It's only been two years...
August 23, 2012 - 12:07pm — brjoha...and everyone has already forgotten about the BP disaster in the Gulf.
We need to invest in alternatives to fossil fuels. Risking the environment to squeeze out every last drop of oil in US territory will buy us an extra decade, maybe two. There is no path to energy independence via fossil fuels.
Big Oil Owns Our Politicians
August 23, 2012 - 12:01pm — mmclendonWhy else would they want to drill - baby - drill? For oil independence? Nope! The real reason is simply to reap compensation from foreign oil companies exporting US oil and petroleum products to other countries. How cynical.
Drill off NC coast? No way oily!
Forward with Drilling
August 23, 2012 - 9:49am — inandohMaybe North Carolina can drill and become as rich as Saudia Arabia. Or any of the other oil producing countries. Let it be our time to be rich! Hopefully North Carolina can lead in the economic recovery of our country. Forward..........with drilling and progress.
DRILL!
August 23, 2012 - 8:47am — CatHouseGardenYes! This is very progressive thinking, using our own natural resources and people rather than paying another country for their resources and their people reaping the financial benefits.
Drill here, drill now
August 23, 2012 - 8:21am — readeracct2And build a couple of new refineries.
Thank you!
N&O inaccurate headline
August 23, 2012 - 8:05am — PeterWillRomney's plan mentioned oil drilling off of Virginia's coast, not NC's. NC does not have oil, but Natural Gas off of its coast.
The only refrence to NC is "new areas for development....coasts of Virginia and the Carolinas." The development off of NC would be for Natural Gas, not Oil.
NO!
August 23, 2012 - 7:58am — MtnManNot just no, but he!! NO!
As long as he pushes for drilling in..
August 23, 2012 - 7:53am — qvorawNantucket Sound and Buzzards Bay, fracking within the town limits of Janesville, WI, and perhaps a new refinery in Wolfebro, NH, I'll be OK with his plans.
Short-sighted
August 23, 2012 - 7:42am — SchnauzerFan21When the coast is ruined, the tourism will fall. Why not spend money to find new means, instead of trashing the environment? The more I see of these ludicrous energy plans, the happier I am that I not to bring children into this godawful world. Doesn't anyone see the big pictures.
Now I going out to drive my new hybrid car!
Bring it on.
August 23, 2012 - 7:19am — RootBoySlim66Bring it on.
To do's for the Sucker Vote:
August 23, 2012 - 6:56am — RockyRoadX proclaim "Drill Baby Drill" as energy policy.
Bev Perdue had the same plan....
August 23, 2012 - 6:54am — kgbunc..