Opposing offshore energy development hurts North Carolina workers, consumers, and businesses

RALEIGH, July 20, 2017 – North Carolina Petroleum Council Executive Director David McGowan issued the following statement in response to Governor Cooper’s announcement today opposing offshore energy development and the benefits it would bring to North Carolina consumers and businesses.

"Today's announcement takes North Carolina in the wrong direction and misses a significant opportunity for our states’ workers, consumers, businesses, and economy,” said McGowan. “The oil and natural gas industry supports over 140,000 jobs in North Carolina, contributes over $12 billion to our state economy, and impacts businesses all across the state. Our state is uniquely positioned to add thousands of additional jobs and increase local revenue through safe and responsible offshore energy development – all of which is disregarded by Governor Cooper’s announcement.

“We are particularly concerned about policies that are designed to stifle scientific and geological research, which is vital to government, educators, and the business community. Seismic surveying has been safely used in the U.S. and around the world for decades to locate potential new sources of energy with no known detrimental impact to marine animal populations or commercial fishing. It is disappointing that Governor Cooper is appealing to groups who are opposing important scientific research. He is making this decision before the necessary research can be conducted to better understand our offshore resource potential.

“The industry has a long history of safe offshore operations, which can safely coexist with our tourism and fishing industries while providing much needed diversity for local economies. Developing our abundant offshore energy resources in the Atlantic is a critical part of an energy policy that will secure our nation’s energy future, advance our national security interests, protect the environment, and help meet the energy needs of the consumers and businesses of North Carolina."

The North Carolina Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.

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