Letter: Thanks to Beaufort for oil-drilling stand

We really owe Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling and the City Council a huge vote of thanks for their role in keeping drilling for oil and gas off our coast.

The number of miles offshore that the rigs would be is a fairy-tale distraction from the conglomeration of facilities to be built on our coastline and in the marshes. Diesel trucks need fueling stations, supply boats need fuel and repair facilities, pipelines require digging up the marshes, and on and on.

By the way, last month the oil and gas companies began shipping our oil to overseas customers. Soon our natural gas will be liquified and shipped overseas also. So much for the red-white-and blue commercials for “our energy independence” by the oil industry.

When they drill here and sell the oil to Europe and Asia, they get the gold and we get the shaft. Thanks again, mayor Billy.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 8:00 PM with the headline "Letter: Thanks to Beaufort for oil-drilling stand."