Fresh From Virtuoso Performance On Coal Ash, McCrory Welcomes Broad Seismic Testing Rules For Ocean

Gov. Pat McCrory welcomed a new federal environmental review that sets broad standards for companies to use seismic testing and other methods to look for oil and natural gas under the ocean floor. The study by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management encompassing coastal waters from Delaware to Florida was released Thursday.

A North Carolina State University study estimates that energy exploration off the coast would produce 1,122 jobs and $181 million annually for the state during its first seven years, a statement from McCrory’s office said.

But one environmental group warns that damage to marine life from seismic air guns probing for pockets of oil and gas would mean bigger losses for commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism and coastal recreation.

“Seismic airgun testing isn’t simply a method of surveying a coastal area for its energy potential,” Oceana said in a statement after the review was issued. “The blasts from seismic airguns are 100,000 times more intense than a jet plane engine and are emitted every 10 seconds, 24 hours a day, for weeks and months at a time. “It’s disruptive, destructive, and directly threatens the survival of marine creatures like dolphins, whales, and turtles.”

EDIT

http://outerbanksvoice.com/2014/03/01/mccrory-praises-disputed-review-on-offshore-energy-testing/