Offshore oil drilling is once again under federal consideration for the South Carolina coastline, a prospect that runs counter to strong local sentiment. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is currently revising its five-year plan, a process that includes evaluating potential sites for oil exploration along the American coast.
Over the past decade, there have been pushes at the national level to expand domestic energy production. However, South Carolinians have consistently voiced clear opposition to any drilling off their coast, a stance that has notably united both Democratic and Republican factions within the state.
Despite existing state and local moratoriums against drilling, the federal government is broadly examining all regions for its National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Program. The Coastal Conservation League’s energy and climate program director notes that efforts are already underway to ensure South Carolina remains excluded from these considerations. The state’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, an industry fundamentally tied to the health and appeal of its beaches and coastal waters.
Concerns extend to the potential for significant environmental damage from oil drilling, including harm to delicate ecosystems and risks to endangered species during construction. The devastating impact a major oil spill could have on the coastal ecosystem for decades is a primary worry. Experts point to critical habitats like the Blake Plateau, home to one of the world’s largest known deep-sea coral formations, which is a key driver for the state’s rich fisheries.
Currently, BOEM’s plan is open for public comment, with a deadline of June 16.
