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IN LETTER TO BUSH, GOVERNOR PUSHED PROTECTION OF CORAL REEFS TO BLOCK EXPLORATION OF OIL
For most Republicans and many Democrats, the issue of exploring oil reserves off the coast of the United States is a no-brainer. “Drill here, drill now” many have publicly proclaimed.
With support for offshore drilling above 80 percent in much of South Carolina, it’s easy to see why Palmetto State politicians like Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint and Rep. Joe Wilson were quick to call for action in June. Others like Rep. Bob Inglis were more reserved about getting behind the almost-bulletproof issue.
But a select group headed by Gov. Mark Sanford became ardently anti-drilling and took a “by any means necessary” approach to taking South Carolina’s oil production possibilities off the map. Sanford told the Hilton Head Island Packet last month that he continued to oppose drilling because of the potential impact on tourism.
But a May 21 letter to President Bush obtained exclusively by The Palmetto Scoop showed the governor — who knew he couldn’t win a vote in the General Assembly — was also willing to use the environment in a backdoor attempt to block offshore drilling.
“I am writing to encourage you to protect the coral reefs off the southeastern coast of the United States,” Sanford wrote Bush. “We understand that there may be an option to use the Antiquities Act to preserve some of our underwater resources. A good choice, we believe, would be the area known as the ‘Charleston Bump’ to be designated as a Marine National Monument.”
According to the NOAA, the Charleston Bump is a deepwater bottom feature 80 to 100 miles southeast of Charleston that is home to one or two rare species of fish and also plays a minor role in directing gulf stream waters. Invoking the controversial Antiquities Act to protect this area would permanently stop all offshore oil production in South Carolina via an executive order from the president.
Sen. David Thomas said he was perplexed when informed of the letter by TPS.
“It is absurd to take any option off the table that would free us from our dependence on foreign oil,” said Thomas. “South Carolina can and will lead the fight for energy independence and offshore drilling must be a part of that arsenal. We must move forward in our quest for energy independence before it’s too late and this option is no longer available.”
In the letter, Sanford argued that “this deepwater coral system constitutes a national treasure on par with Yosemite Valley and the Northwest Hawaiian Islands in its beauty and deserves protection.” He made that rationalization despite himself admitting in the letter that the area — “stretching from North Carolina to Florida” — is “largely unexplored.”
Sanford also cited “citizen support” for his petition to Bush, a claim critics were quick to dismiss.
“Everywhere I go, people make it clear they want us to drill here, drill now, and ultimately pay less at the gas pump,” said Thomas. “South Carolinians understand offshore drilling will increase supply and afford us enough time to develop long-term, feasible alternative energy sources such as the hydrogen fuel cells being born at places like Clemson’s ICAR and USC’s Hydrogen Research Center.”
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UPDATE: I just got an anonymous tip from someone claiming to have inside knowledge of the governor’s letter to President Bush.
The source stated that Sanford understood that he could possibly be hit on drilling and was fine with that because he legitimately wanted the corals protected.
They further said that, while the letter looks bad on the surface, the governor assumed Bush would exclude offshore drilling if he issued the antiquities act executive order because the president had just lifted the ban on drilling.
must be something about sleeping on cots in Washington and not supporting offshore drilling, because other than being quirky and having their wives being their campaign managers, Mark Sanford and Bob Inglis have nothing in common.
Insane scoop McFogle. what he hell is wrong with this guy?
Apparently Governor Sanford has watched TV and saw what happens to the coast line when a hurricane turns over about a dozen off shore oil platforms and the “gook” washes up onshore. It would close SC beaches for many years. And of course, any oil that is pumped from the ocean floor goes on the world wide market for sale to the highest bidder (likely China and India) and it would be foolish to believe that we could keep it here at home…that’s the way a “global” economy works. So, an outside company gets our oil, ruins our beaches with a huge spill, then they rake in the profits and SC tourism grinds to a halt. Not a great plan. And if you don’t think that oil rigs will tip over during a hurricane, go back an view some video footage of the shores in the Gulf of Mexico after a major hurricane.
I consider myself to be a VERY conservative Republician and I have to say that I agree with the Governor. I think that offshore drilling in South Carolina could be extraordinarly destructive to the marine environment which helps to bring in untold tax dollars. Based on recent geological surveys, there just isn’t enough oil off the coast to justify the possible threat. I think South Carolina doesn’t do enough to protect the environment and I applaud Gov. Sanford (one of the only times you’ll ever “hear” me say that!) for taking a step forward to protect our coast.
I’ve supported Sanford on just about every issue, but this idea of his is wrong. We need to drill in the Atlantic for oil, whether it is off the SC, NC, GA or FL coasts. There have been oil rigs in the Gulf and I’ve heard of no pollution killing off any lifeforms in the ocean. But maybe we can do without that oil. After all, I’m sure Cuba is willing to lease rights to China to drill in the Atlantic between Cuba and Florida. If our own politicians won’t do it, well, good luck to Cuba and China. And we can buy it from them at inflated prices.
Nit Wit! I don’t even live in SC anymore, and I feel sorry for you guys that are stuck in the state.
Drill Here, Drill NOW, Pay Less! Governor Sanford is a NitWit!
Vote Him out of office – Show him what happens when he acts against the will of the majority! Let him live out of office the rest of his life. He doesn’t want what the citizens want, so fire him!
The forked tongue express. This is the left fork.
Gentlemen,
Some of us in the General Assembly have known about this request for months. I believe the request has been deep-sixed. Regards, Skipper Perry
PS; I enjoy your blog.
Skipper,
Thanks for the insight. While y’all in the GA may have known about this for a while, the public has been in the dark. And they deserve to know.
- A.F.
Adam,
This is not news, Sanford is a well known, admired and awarded conservationist.
Regards,
~Jeffrey Sewell
I support the Governor 100%.
We don’t need to be drilling for oil that we will not be able to use for 5-10 years at the expense of SC’s marine environment which helps to bring in untold tax dollars.
We need to be spending the money wasted on drilling for oil on ALTERNATIVE fuel sources such as wind and solar and hybrid and diesel cars.
I applaud Gov. Sanford for taking a step forward to protect our coast.
“Sanford is well known.” Quite an understatement. Those along the coast know this quack as SandFRAUD.
In the midst of the budget crisis in South Carolina have we heard one word from the Guv about suspending the purchase of land by way of the Conservation Bank (thereby removing even more property from the tax rolls)? Of course not. And for that he is awarded. And the taxpayers of the state are rewarded with the bill.
I hate to admit it but Time magazine was right on: He is one of the worst Governors in the nation.
I agree with the Governor. Drill there, not here. We already have enough nuclear waste to contend with in this state. Since we have become the federal dumping ground for this waste that has been rolling in by tons lately, we should get a pass on the drilling. We can lead the way in other ways, like hydrogen power, alternative technology development, and solar manufacturing facilities. Drilling is not going to solve our problems anyway.. it is just a bandaid until we get to where we need to be. I appreciate Gov. Sanfords attempt, whether it is still on the table or not. Let’s say we drill, drill, drill, and come up short as experts expect, a lot of money wasted that could have been put into alternative energy development! Read the book, Earth, the Sequal. The technologies are ripe for alternative energy development, let SC be leader in that effort.
I might suggest that before we condemn the ‘Gov’ let’s determine if in fact there’s an economically viable resource worth pursuing. Is there enough oil off our coast to justify an investment?
Then let’s find out if the potential site (or sites) conflict with ecologically-sensitive areas. If they do, then make a judgement at that time, based on the evidence.
I would also ask if viable, could contracts be negotiated to provide the State of SC with franchising/licensing fees and volume-based ‘commissions’ that would help offset our property tax burden?
Are there other opportunities for using our exceptional ports system to encourage and recruit potential refinery investments?
I enjoy our coastal area more than just a little, and in a modest way, own beachfront property that I have concerns about… but common sense is often obscured when the mainstream media turns the liberal position into a ‘movement’.
It’s called–trying to protect your own interests wich is pretty much all he has gotten accomplished his entire stay as our illustreous Gubenator! And, of course owning a home on the beach has nothing to do with it! Does being in the General Assembly and knowing about this issue for six month’s make it trivial? There comes a time when you either become part of the solution to fixing problems in this state or you get outed for being the main cause of them. Sanford was elected to fix problems not create them.
I am not a fan of Sanford, but I agree with him on this issue. I put him in the class with Adolf Hitler – an evil man who occasionally does the right thing for the wrong reason. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day!
This is the one issue with which I agree with Sanford. Drilling won’t amount ot much, if anything. And even if it did, it won’t be felt in the economy for many years. We need a real energy policy.
.You guys miss the point. This is not about tourism, or oil. It is not about making SC a better place to live.
It is about 2012, or 2018, or even 2022…he wants to be the conservative, environmentalist candidate for president.
That is all you have to know, and once you think about it, all that crazy stuff he does makes sense. His actions are to be gauged in the future as a “look back”…where he is seen to have fought for this and that. He is staking out positions that will play well then, but sux now.
I think he dreams of being Secretary of the Interior. He’s been the worst governor ever, with no leadership or imagination. But on this issue he is correct. The crowd that chants “drill baby drill” is so ignorant of the issues I feel embarrassed for them.
Bull shnicky Sanford will go down in history for this as a traitor. In an energy crisis We need drilling and need it now. I have my effigy ready to burn nd invite everyone to join me. Sanfraud has got to go!!
Fogle – It isn’t just Rep. Perry and the legislators that knew about this.
Anyone who reads the Charleston P&C have known about this for months: http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jun/07/will_deep_ocean_marvel_be_preserved43795/
Granted, Bo Petersen didn’t make the connection to drilling as clearly as you have, but the story was there for anyone attentive enough to ready the whole thing.
Your source inside the gov’s office doesn’t carry much credibility with me.
This whole scheme with the bump is all about putting natural gas and oil off limits.
Governor Sanford is a Republican after my own heart. The definition of a conservative is “disposed to preserving existing conditions and to limit change”. Ultimately, the best way to preserve the existing condition of South Carolina and its shoreline is to protect it from the short sighted, destructive Drill Here, Drill Now attitude. If you think fossil fuels are the answer, you’re living with the dinosaurs. By “limiting change” we are opting to stay the same. We can’t. The finite supply of oil has become alarmingly apparent as our world’s population explodes. Energy, utilizing the infinite supply of sun, wind and soil is the cheapest, smartest, most independent choice. These methods are being used now in other countries. Bravo, Governor Sanford for doing the right thing! By speaking up for us today, you’re protecting our children’s tomorrow. What greater legacy have they?
I support Gov. Sanford for his work to save the enviroment.
We have traided emails back and forth for some time now.
I am not a native of South Carolina, I moved here from Ga, but I feel that Gov. Sanford is doing the right thing. Without the coral reefs, many of the fish and other life in the ocean will have no place to call home. How would you like it if some big oil company drilled an oil well in the middle of your home? You wouldn’t like it at all…the fish and other creatures who call the coral reefs home may not have a voice to protest…That is why the Goddess gave us a voice to speak for them.
Great work Gov. Sanford…don’t let Bush push you around.
Goddess Bless
The people of Alaska probably say ” drill now but now in ANWAR”. The people who live directly on the Atlantic Ocean don’t want the possibility of a nice black oil slick washing up in their pristine yards… and remember, our Governor has a home right on the beach. Sanford is showing interest in protecting his own pristine property…. He could care less what you pay at the pump and he can afford to pay at the pump.
South Carolina needs serious political candidates to jump in and help the people of this state. This man is a joke.
Oil is ten times more likely to get into the water and shoreline FROM SHIPS, that from off shore drilling.
Never let facts get in the way of politics.
That is why to GOP is where they are…naked political personal advancement for personal gain…while screwing the general public.
Y’all do know that oil is traded on a global market, right? Adding 1 million barrels per day, the most favorable estimate of what would be gained nationally from all possible offshore drilling, would increase global production by slightly more than 1 percent. A standard model of oil markets suggests the 1 percent change would reduce gas prices by about 3 percent over the long term.
Or does the “drill baby drill” stuff just strike the right emotional chord for you, and facts don’t matter?
This is not just about Sanford disagreeing with off shore drilling (because I’m not overly fond of the idea either), it’s about him constantly critizing the ideas and efforts of anybody or anyone no matter what their affiliation may be, without him offering the first decent alternative suggestion that is not either a day late, somebody elses or a dollar short. His motto has been–More Press Op’s, More Blame, Less Responsibility! Way to be a real leader Gov!
“According to the NOAA, the Charleston Bump is a deepwater bottom feature 80 to 100 miles southeast of Charleston that is home to one or two rare species of fish and also plays a minor role in directing gulf stream waters. ”
Has anyone even thought what this quote means?
I often refer to Mark as “the last Republican”, but I can’t help but feel a little cynical about this. Could this possibly have less to do with coral and more about his home place on Sullivan’s Island?
Amen Governor! I wholeheartedly agree with his decision to oppose off-shore drilling in SC! Let’s spend our time and energy working on alternative fuels…and help to build an additional industry at the same time!
I am a lifelong Republican activist and I voted for Sanford twice (although I voted for Lovelace in the last primary). I just want Sanford to go already. Not only is he a do-nothing governor, but he is also a rabid environmentalist wacko.
Gov Sanford has been right on most every issue. I trust him and believe that he is probably right on drilling in SC. I much prefer drilling in ANWR.
Contrary to the opinion of the people on this blog, our do nothing country club rino’s are the problem. For example, how many times did Sanford beg them not to raise spending. He sent email after email. He wrote letters to the editor of every paper. He used the veto pen. Our Rino’s ignored his request for restraint, and spent money like druken sailors. Only a drunken fool could vote for a green been museum!
Now our Governor has asked that the people who caused the budget to “man up” and fix the mess that they caused. Too bad our citizens are dumber than our senators and house members or they would throw the bumbs out.
Sanford is right here. It isn’t worth it in any way. If it were 30 years ago maybe it would be worth it, but who will be using oil in 30 years from now when we would finally be seeing results?? Let Virginia waste money on this not us. If you are for off shore drilling look at a timeline on how long it would take to have any effect on the economy. 10-15 years from now at the very earliest and that is if there is even significant oil out there.
And say we hit the jackpot in 10 years Beverly Hillbillies style and oil starts shooting out everywhere and hippies in Charleston are bathing in that sh*t. You know what Notorious BIG said about that “Mo Money Mo Problems.”
In addition I only change my oil every 5,000 miles…why don’t we go drill for some freaking gasoline. Unleaded style. 87 grade. I need that every 2 weeks and a lot more than a couple of quarts…
Count ittttttttttt
Sanford’s mistakes are no different than voters. Know what you are voting for and know WHY YOU MAKE A DECISION AS IMPORTANT AS OFF SHORE DRILLING. I am not privy as to: 1. Is there oil offshore of SC? 2. Will it really help prevent dependence on foreign oil? 3. Won’t money spent on alternative fuels be less expensive than off shore drilling. We can’t expect to change anything immediately, so lets look at the long term. Lets put our money where its value will be for SC and not for other oil money hungry politicians, because I think DRILL NOW – DRILL HERE is simply popular among people who don ‘t know the answers to certain questions. Besides Sanford only wants to give our money to the survivors and relatives of the “Orangeburg Massacre” and to people who really don’t deserve it. LETS ASK QUESTIONS AND GET ANSWERS!
Sanford’s right . We need to push morey research and development funds to slternate energy research . The state universities NEED these type of research centers to draw top students from both in and out of state , not to mention premier researchers and engineers . We could defeat dependency of foreign oil by developing better and more cost effective alternative energy sources right here at home without destroying the environment or creating more surface and sub-surface damage for a product that we will never reap any benefits from due to BIG Oil’s unsatisfiable greed for more money from selling it all overseas rather than helping our own nation .
Get real . We all know that any oil drilled off coast will be sold to foreign markets for direct profits to only a small handfull of greedy oil companies with ABSOLUTELY NO direct benefits to us poor stupid little nobody American people . When are we going to get tired of being stepped on by these big greedy companies and investors…they will never have enough money ……our jobs have already been shipped out of country in the name of profit…when will they realize that Americans NO LONGER have jobs….which means that we CAN NOT BUY anything , not even their products ….because without jobs …there is no Paychecks…without paychecks…how the *ell can we buy anything? Who is going to buy these products ( manufactured and petrolium) if no one has any money except for the minute handfull that drive big multi-million dollar big-rig campers that they bought from all the profits they raped from us little (now) jobless people? Gee-Whiz , now these greedy morons are trying to blame poor people for the economic problems their investment computers and stupid de-regulation caused . What is going to be their excuse for raising the fuel costs after they start drilling ….is it that they need to use ’some’ of the money from the offshore sales to pay for any clean-ups through added costs at the pump…so that they can still get their profits and still have us pay for their screw-ups too?
Thanks Governor Sanford , at least you are trying .
Too bad we can’t remove our reps since they are bought and paid for by big oil and other big dollar lobbyist/owners.
BTW , did anyone notice ….that when oil prices started climbing through the roof …the prices for actual , refined , oil ….sold in quarts and gallon jugs at the local AutoZones,Advance,NAPA , fuel stops , etc….did NOT go up in price?
Gee , oil prices went up …we paid more at the pumps…storms came along….we paid more at the pumps….they said a holiday weekend was coming…we paid more at the pumps….they said they had to get the profits while the getting was good…we paid more at the pumps ….they said investors were making too much money…we paid more at the pumps ….they use every stupid BS excuse to make us pay more at the pumps ……….. BUT , they forgot to get the profits from the little quart bottles of ACTUAL OIL ….until now .
They have finally remebered that the stupid little people might get on to their little swindling game and have just recently ‘jacked’ the prices on the actual oil product . Guess they figured that we would catch on or something . Then again , they probably were too busy counting their profits to notice, until now, and figured that the American public …educated in American public schools , were too stupid to notice anyway.
But don’t worry , they ‘fixed’ that little mistake . More oil drilling is supposed to help us how?
We can’t even protect ourselves from big oil now , how is more drilling going to help? Is it going to give them more product to bilk more money out of us?
Go Sanford Go! Fight the fight!
Come on scared rich people with all the wealth . The time to scream is now. Tell us stupid little poor people how we are the problem with you not ‘getting’ all the money . Tell us little stupid people how important it is that we Drill Now so you can get yet more profits for your coffers , at the little stupid people’s expense.
The only people I hear /read hollering about what Gov Sanford is saying are the ones that already have all the wealth and are afraid they will not get more. Greed. You can just never have enough . What a shame that you could care less about your fellow human beings . Yeah , go team . So much for sticking together through thick and thin .
What are you going to do when all the poor people are finally completely broke and start breaking into your homes to streal everything not glued down in order to survive? You already have written off the poorest neighborhoods by not investing in the schools….yeah , that will surely give the lazy poor people a chance to get off their butts…let’s not give them a chance to rise up out of poverty , rather , lets blame them for being poor because we shipped their jobs away in the name of profits for a few privledged rich boys and girls that own the corporations which are leaving waste dumps behind in this country for the rest of us to pay for cleaning up.
I hear the rich complaining that “screw the poor people …they are lazy , we worked hard for our money bilking them , they did nothing but sit on their duffs. Why should we have to help those worthless poor losers?”
What a un-American insight. Shame Shame Shame.
The only reason off-dhore drilling looks good to anyone is for the bottom lines of a very few people. The mass majority will not recieve any benefit AT ALL from any one this , in fact , we will be hurt in what little pocket books we have left from having to pay for the upcharges to help with clean-ups and the COMPLETE and TOTLA loss if tourist income along our coasts , not to memtion the damage to what is left of the seafood we our dwindling fleet of fishermen can gather.
It’s okay for the elite few rich guys to pay $30 for a lobster or plate of shrimp ….they have all the money and can afford it. If they can somehow get a lot more money and , screw the total laying waste of our coastlines , it will still not be enough . Greed is a sickness.
Any Reps reading this blog be advised , you support these elite scum , your days in office will be numbered , not because you will eventually be voted out of office….as the rich like to point out….poor folks don’t vote…yeah , right….no , you will be out of a job because who will be left in your districts to have a district for you to be voted in for?
Better let everyone play ball or there won’t be a team to play ball for.
Yes I pissed with elitism in this state and country . This is not a monarchy . Why are we left with such sorry choices for president….is there only a few rich boys that want the job? Gee-whiz…off topic , but then how can I stay on topic when the last president was a goof-off rich boy and the next wanna be pres is the same ?(McCain-grad almost last in class , but grad due to daddy being the 4 star admiral at the time , and always trying to get his ticket punched every since)
Now , the elite are crying foul over a fiscally conservative vetoing Gov .
Am I supposed to feel sorry for elitists and their plite for more money?
[...] that this isn’t a partisan issue, simply observe S.C. governor Mark Sanford. This comes from a local political blog down in the state: A select group headed by Gov. Mark Sanford became ardently anti-drilling and took [...]