Letter | Consider all sides before backing coastal drilling

There have been stories and letters exploring the proposed drilling for oil off the coast of South Carolina. As with many controversies, there are two sides.

Some people have been talking about the jobs that would be created having Georgetown as a major port for the oil industry. These same people do not talk about the number of jobs that would be lost in our tourist industry if an accidental spill occurs. I think that there will be a lot more jobs lost from the tourist industry than gained in the oil industry.

Many of the people who are advocating for the oil industry are not looking at the problems we have here in South Carolina. Our infrastructure is in need of major repair. It is something that needs to be done if Georgetown is going to be a hub for the oil industry. When the true figures of what it will cost to repair and improve our infrastructure are calculated, the legislators balk at spending that much money.

Our state is proud to be a right-to-work state. They are firm in their belief that industries should not be tied down with lots of regulations on business. This leads to many businesses taking short cuts to make more profits.

I am worried about the oil industry operating without good regulations put on them. The damage to our beaches, wildlife, and way of life would take years to repair.

Remember the creation of a few new jobs, at a cost of present jobs does not make economic sense. It is not worth the gamble.

This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Letter | Consider all sides before backing coastal drilling."