Surrendering the Gulf of Mexico to Russia

The Gulf of Moscow?

Barack Obama's tough stance on offshore drilling in Federal waters is likely to be capitalized on by Moscow, as his administration looks close to banning offshore oil drilling on the outer continental shelf (OCS) until 2012 or beyond.

In truth no one really knows what Obama is going to do with the OCS, or for that matter, what his long-term policies are going to be on offshore drilling in general, but leaving the Gulf of Mexico could mean surrendering a lucrative energy resource to Moscow, China or anyone else who spots an opportunity to pick the ball when and where America drops it.

On the one hand Obama has pledged to limit coastal drilling in an effort to help cut emissions and aid the development of America's alternative energy sources; yet on the other he has promised to increase America's self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on foreign fuel - something offshore drilling would be an integral part of.

Oil is strategically important

So while the United States is planning for alternative energy and considering a ban on offshore oil drilling, Russian oil platforms will go up off American shores thanks to an offshore oil production deal with the Cuban government.

As the Russians extend their global energy assets into the Western Hemisphere, Washington will come under increasing pressure from Republicans and maybe even some democrats, to protect America's energy future.

Russia is perhaps doing what America should be; viewing oil as strategically important and as a part of an overall energy policy that can also incorporate alternative power sources. Whilst making the transition from traditional commodities to new energy, oil, natural gas, nuclear power and (clean) coal remain vitally important to America's energy mix.

Instead of trying to please everyone from environmentalists to oil barons alike, Obama must start showing clearer leadership on the issue.

Realigning priorities

Also, since the recession, with America's huge deficits, a lack of jobs, and rising energy costs, priorities should have been realigned. Offshore drilling contributes to the gross domestic product and does not increase the trade deficit. Higher oil supply helps keep check on rising prices, and greater American production gives the United States more influence over the global market.

Not to mention the level of public support that exists for offshore drilling (a Pew Research Center poll from February showed 63 percent support for offshore drilling for oil and natural gas).

People will eventually see the benefits of Obama's controversial healthcare reform bill, but surrendering energy resources to the Russians might be something the President could never recover from.

Related Articles:

Is offshore drilling still high on the agenda? | The importance of our offshore oil producers | No more offshore drilling under Obama

Daniel Jones

Daniel is a Politics and Philosophy graduate from Cardiff University where he also worked as a section editor on the award winning student newspaper. After university he joined an IT support company where he was a B2B online writer. He loves anything to do with sport and joined GDS in July 2009.

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