Haley, Graham, Duncan: favor offshore drilling

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Jeff Duncan are joining to support legislation they hope will lead to authorize drilling for oil and gas off South Carolina’s shores.

The Republican trio said Monday that tapping the reserves will lead the nation to energy independence and bring thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue to state and federal coffers.

Graham said he was introducing a bill outlining the plan in the Senate later Monday.

In recent weeks, the federal government has been holding hearings along the Atlantic Coast to gather opinions and discuss the potential environmental impact of offshore drilling.

Environmental groups argue that alternative fuel choices such as wind and solar power are preferable to such drilling.