Whitsett supports offshore drilling

State Sen. Doug WhitsettAs President Bush and Washington, D.C., lawmakers debate lifting the ban on offshore drilling, state Sen. Doug Whitsett (R-Klamath Falls) came out in support of offshore drilling and chastised Gov. Ted Kulongoski for not doing the same.

“Oregon, like the rest of the United States, is one of the most resource-abundant places on the planet, and yet we aren’t managing those resources effectively and Oregon families are struggling to afford gas, milk and healthcare,” said Whitsett. “With today’s technology we can manage off-shore exploration while protecting the environment. This is no longer just a good idea, it is a necessity.”

Bush is calling on Congress to open up offshore drilling to access the estimated 86 million barrels of oil that may lie beneath the surface. Kulongoski issued a statement on Monday, coming out against the plan. Officials in other coastal states, including California’s Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, are also worried about damage to ocean ecosystems and fisheries, and have spoken out against Bush’s proposal.