Congressmen Among Dozens Attending Session on Offshore Oil

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (AP) _ A federal meeting on opening areas off the coast of the Carolinas to drilling has attracted dozens of people, including two congressmen. The federal Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management sponsored the meeting in Mount Pleasant to gather public comment on opening offshore waters to oil and gas exploration later this decade. U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina told reporters at a news conference before the meeting that offshore energy would mean jobs and revenue for South Carolina. He appeared with representatives of business and other groups. U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford also attended the meeting. He has historically been opposed to offshore drilling. He told The Associated Press he no longer opposes exploring for gas and oil. But Sanford says he’s not sure much will be found offshore.