Applications by six companies asking to be allowed to evaluate the mineral deposits off the Atlantic coast will be considered by the Department of the Interior.
This follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump lifting restrictions on drilling off the coast.
The executive order states that it will be the policy of the United States to encourage energy exploration and production, including on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
The Department of the Interior then announced it will move forward to resume its evaluation of applications from six companies seeking permits to conduct geological and geophysical activities in the Atlantic Ocean.
"Seismic surveying helps a variety of federal and state partners better understand our nation’s offshore areas, including locating offshore hazards, siting of wind turbines, as well as offshore energy development,” Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke said in a statement. “Allowing this scientific pursuit enables us to safely identify and evaluate resources that belong to the American people. This will play an important role in the President’s strategy to create jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign energy resources.”
It has been 30 years since evaluations were carried out off the south and mid-Atlantic coasts of the US.
The applications by the six companies to carry out testing were previously rejected by the Obama Administration. A South Carolina congressman, Rep. Mark Sanford, has introduced legislation that would bar for 10 years any drilling off the Atlantic coast.
The OCS falls under the complete control of the federal government, with states having no say over its management. Sanford couched his objections in states' rights terms, stating that any decision on offshore drilling should be driven by coastal communities.
Retired Capt. James McCormick, a Bronze and Silver Star recipient and program director of Vets4Energy, said evaluating a situation is critical in every pursuit.
"Having access to current information is crucial to making intelligent decisions," McCormick told American Security News. "Relying on mapping made 30 years ago just doesn’t make sense. Current reconnaissance using modern technology will tell us exactly what energy exists offshore."
McCormick added, "No matter what is being discussed, there will always be a vocal group who passionately disagrees and says the sky will fall if we move forward. Seismic testing has been used for decades, and continues to be used now, by us and many other countries across the planet.
"These are not children going into the ocean with new toys; it is a profession done by professionals who do it the right way."
He said the resources off the coast "belong to the American people."
"At the very least we should know what resources are there," the retired captain argued. "It’s like having an attic full of stuff but not going up to see what it is. It doesn’t make sense not to at least look."
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