EPEC’s Position on Offshore Drilling in the Gulf of Mexico

The oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico during the spring and summer of 2010 must never be forgotten. The Environmental and Peace Education Center (EPEC) believes the greatest legacy of the terrible incident must be the permanent moratorium of all offshore oil drilling. EPEC advocates that no new rigs be allowed, and negotiations must begin with the owners of all existing operations to shut them down. The devastation of wildlife, contamination of the food and water supply, and pollution of our beaches constitute an intolerable toll on our environment and our health. The economic effects on tourism, real estate, and the seafood, fishing, and boating industries came at the expense of far too many people.

EPEC and Oil Coaltion by the People organized a rally that brought nearly 1,000 people to Fort Myers Beach to show their support for clean fuels and opposition to offshore drilling, and will continue to pressure local and state lawmakers to represent these constituents and not big oil. EPEC advocates the use of alternative energies — such as wind, water, solar and biodiesel — as clean, safe, and efficient substitutes for oil, and pushes for the rapid development of these technologies. We believe green jobs must replace oil jobs, if for no other reason than the safety of workers. EPEC aims to give community residents as loud a voice as possible to say “never again” to the government and industry forces that allowed this tragedy to happen.