Most at SC hearing favor energy search off coast

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Speakers at a hearing in South Carolina on exploring for energy off the Atlantic coast say companies should get the chance to find out what’s there.

Most of those speaking at a hearing held by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in North Charleston on Friday said companies should be allowed to search for energy. And most said they think searches can be done without hurting the environment.

The bureau is seeking comment on proposed rules governing any offshore search.

State Sen. Paul Campbell of Goose Creek said natural gas off the coast could help the state economy. But Southern Environmental Law Center attorney Chris DeScherer said East Coast oil won’t do much to ease gas costs. He told the hearing you can’t drill your way to lower prices.