Governor Pat McCrory Applauds Movement Toward Offshore Seismic Testing for Oil and Gas | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Raleigh, NC     Governor Pat McCrory, Chair of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Governors Coalition, issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Interior released its review that could allow seismic testing firms, under certain conditions, to submit permit applications to the Department to map potential oil and natural gas fields in the mid and south Atlantic.

    "This decision is the right step toward more jobs for North Carolina, particularly in our rural areas near the coast," said Governor Pat McCrory, who spoke extensively with Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell earlier this week while in the nation's capital. "We have the technology and the environmental expertise to responsibly explore the oil, gas and wind resources off our coast. It's time the states be allowed to get off the sidelines and start producing jobs and energy for our economy."

    In 2013, economist Dr. Mike Walden of North Carolina State University estimated offshore energy exploration off the North Carolina coast would produce 1,122 jobs and $181 million in annual income for the state during the first seven years of production. Over 30 years, Dr. Walden calculated $1.9 billion in annual income during which 16,910 jobs would be created.

    McCrory applauded the steps being taken to ensure that wildlife, especially those who rely on sounds for communications, are protected throughout the process.

    "I am glad the Department of Interior has put safeguards in place that will protect our wildlife," McCrory continued.

    The environmental impact statement, conducted by the Bureau of Energy Management said measures, such as a pause in testing during whale migrations, could be implemented to minimize the impact of seismic testing on marine life.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov