OFFSHORE OIL/GAS/SEISMIC AND WIND DEBATES: FACTS VERSUS OPINIONS

The offshore energy discussion is most often couched in the bias of the group advocating a certain position such as how oil and gas development benefits the country and jobs or that exploration will lead to loss of tourism and fisheries. And in the case of wind energy, there are claims that it will supply all of our electricity needs or if it is within 20 nautical miles of the coast it will lead to loss of property values, rentals, and tourism. A look at the pros and cons of these industries and a realistic assessment of the resources will include the expected technical and economic reserves as well as the issues associated with capturing that energy supply in the Middle and South Atlantic.