Day 152 - Sept. 12, 2010

lifeguard tower 26 - Ocean Park, Santa Monica CA

trash collected for 20 minutes

3.1 pounds

622.6 pounds total
I got the chance to hang out at the Oceana table yesterday up in Malibu for the Nautica triathlon. They had a handout on offshore oil drilling. I realize this has nothing to do with Toy Story 3, but I want to highlight a few of their myths vs facts that they so eloquently listed.
Myth: Expanding offshore oil drilling will drastically cut foreign oil imports.

Fact: By completely developing our oceans for oil extraction, the Department of Energy estimates that oil imports would be reduced by a mere 2.5% in 2030 at which point we will have begun exhausting out offshore potential.

Myth: Expanding offshore drilling will significantly lower gas prices.

Fact: The Department of Energy estimates that opening all of our oceans to oil drilling would have no effect on gas prices by 2020 (10 YEARS AWAY!)...

Myth: Offshore oil drilling is environmentally safe.

Fact: The Deepwater Drilling Disaster is an extreme example of a relatively common occurrence. There have been at least eight other spills of 50,000 gallons or more since 2005. In addition, offshore drilling rigs can dump tons of oily drilling fluid, toxic metal cuttings and carcinogens into the ocean simply from normal operations.

OK - that is worth repeating: offshore drilling rigs can dump tons of oily drilling fluid, toxic metal cuttings and carcinogens into the ocean simply from normal operations.

Myth: Renewable energy sources cannot replace oil and gas.

Fact: Renewable energy resources are already replacing oil and gas. Currently, renewable resources generate more than 10% of the United States' electricity and provide the equivalent of more than 5 billion gallons of gasoline for transportation annually.

Want to meet a guy doing all he can to change the way we see using oil to power our cars?

Meet Paul Scott.

He lives here in Santa Monica, has a wicked sense of humor, and you may have seen him in "Who Killed the Electric Car." GO TO: PLUG IN AMERICA to learn more.