TO THE EDITOR:
The beginning of the month proved to be a great victory for our oceans with the Obama administration’s announcement of placing a seven-year ban on Atlantic coast drilling.
By reversing course and learning from the mistakes of the BP drilling disaster, we can make sure our beaches and coastal areas are protected.
But we must use this opportunity to look at developing clean energy off our coasts. As a student at UNC-Chapel Hill I am proud of the work our University has done to research the potential for offshore wind.
Our state has some of the best resources for offshore wind among Atlantic coast states.
The studies show we could get over 100% of our electricity from offshore wind, replacing all of our fossil fuel usage.
Obama’s decision was an important first step in protecting against the dangers of offshore drilling.
We should now look at creating a permanent ban on offshore drilling and urge our legislators to take up this task.
But we also must focus on what we can do to power the 21st century, and make North Carolina a leader in offshore wind instead of a follower.
Ann Morrissey
Public Policy and International Studies
