What does the oil spill mean for US drilling policy?

When it comes to America's oil development, things are always in a state of flux. Since President Obama came to power, he has been praised as an environmental hero with his policies of renewable energy, but in March he reversed the country's decision on offshore drilling announcing plans to open huge offshore areas on the US coastline to oil and natural gas drilling.

However, since then the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has made many wonder whether if it is such a good idea. Even the Republican party have stopped their "Drill, baby, drill" chants with some, such as Governor Schwarzenegger of California even making a complete U-turn on offshore drilling policy.

Reserved Republicans

Governor Schwarzenegger withdrew his support for a plan to expand oil exploration off the state's coast saying the recent spill had changed his mind about the safety of oil platforms in the Pacific Ocean. In previous years, the governor has pushed for more offshore drilling but with pictures of the recent devastation on every TV around the world, he has reversed his policy saying, "Why would we want to take that kind of risk?"

But what about the President? Just as he strives to end US reliance on foreign oil, the US is hit by the worst environmental disaster in decades, with the leak still not under control and rumours circulating that it could take three months to stop. With the Republicans appearing to pause on offshore drilling policy, not many would blame the President for changing his mind once again on the subject, but according to White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, President Obama "has no plans to reconsider his proposal for new offshore oil drilling" in the aftermath of the spill.

While President Obama said, last week that he is going to halt all future offshore drilling projects until the Gulf of Mexico spill had been contained and cleaned up, this recent statement from the White House seems to indicate that Obama's offshore drilling policy will still continue.

Quoting Robert Gibbs, President Obama "still believes that we have to have a comprehensive solution to our energy problems". When asked whether the President had second thoughts on offshore drilling, Gibbs said, "No."

"We've taken swift action to ensure the safety of those that are there and to ensure the safety to the environment by capping the exploratory well," Gibbs said. "We need the increased production. The president still continues to believe the great majority of that can be done safely, securely and without any harm to the environment," he said.

Lessons to be learnt

Many environmental groups will be dismayed at this news, hoping that in the aftermath of such a colossal disaster, offshore drilling would undergo a massive review while the public saw the devastating effects of oil dependency and drilling for themselves, bolstering support for renewable energy.

While this still might be the case, America's need for oil is still here and until a viable alternative can be found, the President is still standing by his decision, even though it is a controversial one, and one that clearly pains him.

The slick is now estimated to be at least 130 miles by 70 miles, or about the size of the US state of Delaware. It threatens shipping, wildlife, beaches and one of the most fertile fishing grounds in the Union. The economy is expecting a massive hit from the Gulf Coast fisherman that will be put out of jobs because of contaminated waters, and the blow to the tourism industry. The port of New Orleans is also expected to shut down if and when the oil slick reaches its waters.

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Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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