Nothing in the front page area really caught my eye today, so I decided to do a specialized search for my articles of choice. I'm taking a contemporary conservation class this semester and have had my interests turned to topics relating to the environment. I didn't have to look very far to find a piece in the paper relating to some environmental issue. The headline read " US to open new areas of offshore drilling," a very hot topic issue.
The Obama Administration announced a 5 year plan for more drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska waters, but none on either the West or East coast, as was previously asked for by Congress. This deal seems to be a true compromise because neither side is completely happy with the results. Prominent figures on both sides of the debate have voiced concerns. One claims that we have learned something from the BP disaster and setting limits it wise, while on the other side the oil industry claims in a time where we need jobs, drilling would have revitalize the economy.
it was a tough decision for the Obama Administration I'm sure, and since neither side got all that they wanted, Obama doesn't have full support from either. Depending the outcome and if they plan sticks to its original components, I think it was a wise decision. Environmentalists may not be happy that Alaska is being touched, but it could have been have been extended further. The oil industry claims more drilling would offer more jobs, but there are other ways to create jobs and limiting oil drilling is really a good idea for us and the environment.
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