Myrtle Beach taking up offshore drilling resolution

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Another South Carolina community is considering a resolution opposing offshore seismic testing and drilling for oil and natural gas.

Myrtle Beach City Council is set to take up the matter at its meeting on Tuesday.

The advocacy group Oceana says that, if the council goes on record against such activities, it would become the 20th community in the state to oppose offshore drilling.

Myrtle Beach is the heart of South Carolina’s $18 billion tourism industry.

Municipalities including Charleston, Georgetown and Columbia have already passed similar resolutions.

Opponents say offshore drilling poses a threat to the environment and the state’s tourism economy. Advocates of offshore drilling say it can be done safely and will mean jobs and tax revenues while providing new sources of energy.

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The story has been updated to correct that Myrtle Beach would be the 20th, not the 21st, community in SC to approve such a resolution.