Is there any danger to the Florida Coast if we drill for Oil?

Last week, I commended the Commission for passing a resolution in support of banning off-shore drilling. I received a series of e-mails from a reader who states that natural oil seepage is a bigger problem and that we have no valid reason NOT to drill for oil over our coastlines.

As we continue to try and be less dependent on foreign oil, we have been reluctant to take the necessary steps to drill for oil because of fear of hurting the environment and our lack of limited technology in cleaning up oil spills.

None of us has gotten over the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 20 years ago that spilled 10.8 million gallons of oil over 1,300 square miles. It was devastating. If we could get over the fear of oil spills, Florida could possibly play a major role in America's energy security as oil prices are expected to rise to $76.40 a barrel.

He says that--

"This is the 'Cascading Effect' that I spoke about. The people of Lake Worth get their news and opinions from their neighbors and believe it to be the truth."

Therefore, I wanted to get the other side of the argument out there for you all to make up your own mind on this matter. Is drilling for oil worth the risk? Is there a risk?

Read the University of California Report on oil and gas seepage.

"natural oil seepage from the ocean floor accounts for far greater petroleum contamination than man-made sources in the United States"

Flopping Aces » Blog Archive » No Excuse Not to Drill Here: It Won’t Take Ten Years to Get the Oil