the case against off-shore drilling eastern shore citizens against off-shore drilling draft – not...

The Case Against The Case Against Off-Shore DrillingOff-Shore Drilling

Eastern Shore Citizens Against Off-Shore Drilling Eastern Shore Citizens Against Off-Shore Drilling

DRAFT – NOT FOR RELEASE – DRAFT – NOT FOR RELEASE – June 23, 2009June 23, 2009

Not for release - DRAFT – 6/23/2009Not for release - DRAFT – 6/23/2009

The Case Against Off-Shore The Case Against Off-Shore DrillingDrilling• The Federal Government is gathering information The Federal Government is gathering information

to plan and analyze the proposed Outer to plan and analyze the proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 220 in Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 220 in the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area off of Virginia’s the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area off of Virginia’s coast.coast.

• NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight Facility, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Facility, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Accomack County VA Board of Supervisors, the Accomack County VA Board of Supervisors, the Eastern Shore Defense Alliance and the Greater Eastern Shore Defense Alliance and the Greater Salisbury (MD) Committee oppose off-shore Salisbury (MD) Committee oppose off-shore drilling due to potential negative impacts on drilling due to potential negative impacts on Wallops-based activities. NASA concerns have Wallops-based activities. NASA concerns have been presented to the Minerals Management been presented to the Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department of Interior. Service (MMS) of the U.S. Department of Interior.

Presentation Source: Official NASA response submitted to MMS unless Presentation Source: Official NASA response submitted to MMS unless noted.noted.


BackgroundBackground

• Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)’s Wallops Flight Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)’s Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) operates NASA’s only owned and Facility (WFF) operates NASA’s only owned and operated launce range at WFF. operated launce range at WFF.

• WFF was established in 1945 as a flight test site for WFF was established in 1945 as a flight test site for aerodynamic research due to its remote location so aerodynamic research due to its remote location so hazardous NASA and DoD missions could be hazardous NASA and DoD missions could be conducted without risk to the public or private conducted without risk to the public or private property.property.

• Today NASA continues to conduct science, Today NASA continues to conduct science, technology and educational flight projects from WFF technology and educational flight projects from WFF – many of which are combined NASA and DoD – many of which are combined NASA and DoD missions - aboard rockets, balloons and uninhabited missions - aboard rockets, balloons and uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) using the Atlantic Ocean for aerial vehicles (UAVs) using the Atlantic Ocean for operations on an almost daily basis.operations on an almost daily basis.



• Since 2006, launches from WFF have grown in number and Since 2006, launches from WFF have grown in number and importance to the Nation’s space and defense priorities and importance to the Nation’s space and defense priorities and programs.programs.

• WFF is one of the Nation’s few launch ranges to support WFF is one of the Nation’s few launch ranges to support medium-to-large vehicle class satellite launches.medium-to-large vehicle class satellite launches.

• Recently, NASA has decided to launch several important Recently, NASA has decided to launch several important programs from WFF. programs from WFF.

• Orbital Sciences Corp. of VA selected WFF, including the Mid-Orbital Sciences Corp. of VA selected WFF, including the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS)*, as its preferred site to Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS)*, as its preferred site to develop and launch its expendable launch vehicle (ELV) and develop and launch its expendable launch vehicle (ELV) and Taurus II rocket for the cargo resupply of the International Taurus II rocket for the cargo resupply of the International Space Station beginning in 2011. Orbital also will conduct Space Station beginning in 2011. Orbital also will conduct demonstration launches from WFF as part of the NASA demonstration launches from WFF as part of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project in 2010 Commercial Orbital Transportation Services project in 2010 for ISS cargo resupply. for ISS cargo resupply. *Many of the orbital class missions *Many of the orbital class missions mentioned are joint operations of the NASA range and MARS.mentioned are joint operations of the NASA range and MARS.



• Other planned NASA flights from WFF include scientific Other planned NASA flights from WFF include scientific satellites with a lunar reconnaissance mission in 2012 - the satellites with a lunar reconnaissance mission in 2012 - the Lunar Atmospheric and Dust Experiment Explorer (LADEE) – Lunar Atmospheric and Dust Experiment Explorer (LADEE) – is the first planned ELV mission from WFF to support the is the first planned ELV mission from WFF to support the nation’s scientific program goals.nation’s scientific program goals.

• WFF also is home to several critical DoD programs. WFF WFF also is home to several critical DoD programs. WFF tenants such as the Navy’s Surface Combat System Center tenants such as the Navy’s Surface Combat System Center and Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division rely on the and Naval Air Warfare Center-Aircraft Division rely on the WFF Research Range for aircraft and shipboard system WFF Research Range for aircraft and shipboard system development testing and training. The Air Force relies on development testing and training. The Air Force relies on launches from WFF to support two critical programs: launches from WFF to support two critical programs: Operationally Responsive Space and the Tactical Satellite Operationally Responsive Space and the Tactical Satellite (TacSat) Program. (TacSat) Program.

• The Missile Defense Agency relies on launches from WFF for The Missile Defense Agency relies on launches from WFF for suborbital targets to train the Navy fleet, and orbital suborbital targets to train the Navy fleet, and orbital technology development programs including NFIRE. technology development programs including NFIRE.


The LocationThe Location

• WFF owns restricted airspace that reaches off shore three WFF owns restricted airspace that reaches off shore three miles, adjoining the off-shore DoD warning areas.miles, adjoining the off-shore DoD warning areas.

• The proposed oil and drilling lease sale area 220 overlaps The proposed oil and drilling lease sale area 220 overlaps the NASA WFF Research Range restricted airspace and the NASA WFF Research Range restricted airspace and range hazard areas and the adjacent DoD designated range hazard areas and the adjacent DoD designated warning areas (VACAPES OPAREA) that are frequently warning areas (VACAPES OPAREA) that are frequently activated in support of DoD and NASA launches and other activated in support of DoD and NASA launches and other target missions.target missions.

• Beyond the three-mile area, WFF flight activities occur in a Beyond the three-mile area, WFF flight activities occur in a sector from approximately due east to due south of Wallops sector from approximately due east to due south of Wallops Island. As with FAA-restricted airspace, within the southeast Island. As with FAA-restricted airspace, within the southeast sector rocket motors and other flight hardware systems are sector rocket motors and other flight hardware systems are routinely flown and expended safely into the Atlantic, and routinely flown and expended safely into the Atlantic, and low-flying missiles and UAVs are frequently operated.low-flying missiles and UAVs are frequently operated.

NASA Wallops Flight Facility

70°W

70°W

70°30'W

70°30'W

71°W

71°W

71°30'W

71°30'W

72°W

72°W

72°30'W

72°30'W

73°W

73°W

73°30'W

73°30'W

74°W

74°W

74°30'W

74°30'W

75°W

75°W

75°30'W

75°30'W

76°W

76°W

76°30'W

76°30'W

77°W

77°W

77°30'W

77°30'W

39°30'N 39°30'N

39°N 39°N

38°30'N 38°30'N

38°N 38°N

37°30'N 37°30'N

37°N 37°N

36°30'N 36°30'N

36°N 36°N

35°30'N 35°30'N

35°N 35°N

34°30'N 34°30'N

34°N 34°N

33°30'N 33°30'N

Legend

MMS Lease Sale 220

WFF Range Hazard Area

VACAPES Operations Area

60 0 6030 Nautical Miles

Virginia

North Carolina

Figure 1 - NASA WFF Range Overlap with Proposed Lease Sale 220

Map Datum: WGS 84

* The WFF range hazard area has been graphically represented at 165 nautical miles for planning purposes only. The actual hazard area can extend beyond 165 nautical miles.

Launch Range Protection: Offshore DrillingLaunch Range Protection: Offshore Drilling


The LocationThe Location

• 72% of the area desired by Virginia 72% of the area desired by Virginia via a Minerals Management Service via a Minerals Management Service decision is within the VACAPES decision is within the VACAPES OPAREA.OPAREA.

• 100% of the area believed to contain 100% of the area believed to contain gas and oil (50-140 miles off the gas and oil (50-140 miles off the coast) lies within the VACAPES coast) lies within the VACAPES OPAREA.OPAREA.

Source: ? as presented by Virginia Delegate Joseph F. Source: ? as presented by Virginia Delegate Joseph F. Bouchard Ph.D., former Captain, U.S. Navy.Bouchard Ph.D., former Captain, U.S. Navy.


Potential ConflictsPotential Conflicts

Three main concerns:Three main concerns:

• Risk to private or state investment and Risk to private or state investment and personnel.personnel.

• Impact of private or state investment that Impact of private or state investment that leads to adverse restrictions on NASA and leads to adverse restrictions on NASA and DoD operations to meet safety DoD operations to meet safety requirements.requirements.

• Negative impacts on commercial space Negative impacts on commercial space activities at WFF carried out by MARS.activities at WFF carried out by MARS.



Risk to investment and personnel:Risk to investment and personnel:• Hazardous and potentially deadly launch and target operations Hazardous and potentially deadly launch and target operations

including orbital and suborbital falling rocket debris, missiles and including orbital and suborbital falling rocket debris, missiles and supersonic and subsonic vehicles could be catastrophic to supersonic and subsonic vehicles could be catastrophic to equipment and personnel in case of planned and unplanned equipment and personnel in case of planned and unplanned impacts in the proposed area.impacts in the proposed area.

• After launches from WFF, NASA has recovered large hazardous After launches from WFF, NASA has recovered large hazardous orbital stage rocket debris and other hazardous items that would orbital stage rocket debris and other hazardous items that would have done extreme damage to private investment above or under have done extreme damage to private investment above or under the water’s surface in the proposed area. the water’s surface in the proposed area.

• Risk of massive petroleum or gas release into coastal waters in Risk of massive petroleum or gas release into coastal waters in the case of a launch mishap impacting oil or gas infrastructure.the case of a launch mishap impacting oil or gas infrastructure.

The lease area is in the middle of NASA’s range AND The lease area is in the middle of NASA’s range AND hazardous debris does fall there that would greatly hazardous debris does fall there that would greatly damage private drilling assets or so constrict the range so damage private drilling assets or so constrict the range so that WFF and partners could not launch and/or operate.that WFF and partners could not launch and/or operate.



Adverse restrictions:Adverse restrictions:• Potential for missions/projects to be cancelled and loss of project Potential for missions/projects to be cancelled and loss of project

support at WFF. NASA and DoD ELV operations, scientific and support at WFF. NASA and DoD ELV operations, scientific and technology maturation missions, sounding rocket missions, technology maturation missions, sounding rocket missions, commercial vehicle launch tests and Navy ship qualification test commercial vehicle launch tests and Navy ship qualification test missions would be significantly affected due to safety risks for missions would be significantly affected due to safety risks for workers, increased potential damage to public assets above workers, increased potential damage to public assets above surface and undersea equipment, increased ship and air traffic, surface and undersea equipment, increased ship and air traffic, and the presence of oil platforms that interfere with the flight and the presence of oil platforms that interfere with the flight paths of low altitude NASA and DoD vehicles.paths of low altitude NASA and DoD vehicles.

• The proposed lease sale 220 area encompasses a critical and The proposed lease sale 220 area encompasses a critical and extremely active portion of the operational areas required for WFF extremely active portion of the operational areas required for WFF range operations. Virtually all mission activities require “clear” range operations. Virtually all mission activities require “clear” operational areas, for which the proposed area must be cleared. operational areas, for which the proposed area must be cleared. This could shut down oil and gas exploration activities for two-This could shut down oil and gas exploration activities for two-thirds of the year.thirds of the year.



Negative impacts on commercial space activities:Negative impacts on commercial space activities:• Commercial users of the WFF range through MARS must get Commercial users of the WFF range through MARS must get

a launch license from the Department of Commerce. This a launch license from the Department of Commerce. This process requires insurance for any non-U.S. Government process requires insurance for any non-U.S. Government assets in potential hazardous operation/impact areas. assets in potential hazardous operation/impact areas.

• The Commercial Space Launch Act caps the U.S. The Commercial Space Launch Act caps the U.S. Government’s liability for Federal Government assets in the Government’s liability for Federal Government assets in the hazard areas at $500 million to enable the emerging hazard areas at $500 million to enable the emerging commercial space sector. There is no cap on liability for commercial space sector. There is no cap on liability for private investment – oil and gas drilling infrastructure has private investment – oil and gas drilling infrastructure has significant current replacement value – the potential cost to significant current replacement value – the potential cost to replace damaged infrastructure that launch licensees would replace damaged infrastructure that launch licensees would have to cover with additional liability insurance would make have to cover with additional liability insurance would make commercial launches from WFF highly unlikely.commercial launches from WFF highly unlikely.


No Economic Benefit GainedNo Economic Benefit Gained• Between 2002 and 2005 global crude oil production rose by Between 2002 and 2005 global crude oil production rose by

6.64 million barrels per day, but the price increased by 112%. 6.64 million barrels per day, but the price increased by 112%. • Between 1990 and 2002 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Between 1990 and 2002 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)

production increased 98%, yet the U.S. price increased 21%.production increased 98%, yet the U.S. price increased 21%.• Increased oil production from lifting the moratorium off the Increased oil production from lifting the moratorium off the

coasts of the lower 48 states is projected not to exceed .22 coasts of the lower 48 states is projected not to exceed .22 million barrels per day. Between 1990 and 2007 U.S. offshore million barrels per day. Between 1990 and 2007 U.S. offshore oil production increased .89 million barrels per day (48%), yet oil production increased .89 million barrels per day (48%), yet the price of U.S. oil increased by $64.88 a barrel (343%). the price of U.S. oil increased by $64.88 a barrel (343%).

• Allowing drilling off the coast of VA may not reduce Allowing drilling off the coast of VA may not reduce dependence on imported oil. From 1990 to 2002 OCS dependence on imported oil. From 1990 to 2002 OCS production increased 98% yet total U.S. production declined production increased 98% yet total U.S. production declined by 32%.by 32%.

Drilling for oil offshore will have no impact on oil prices and Drilling for oil offshore will have no impact on oil prices and very little, if any, impact on U.S. dependence on imported oil.very little, if any, impact on U.S. dependence on imported oil.

Source: ? as presented by Virginia Delegate Joseph F. Bouchard Source: ? as presented by Virginia Delegate Joseph F. Bouchard Ph.D., former Captain, U.S. Navy.Ph.D., former Captain, U.S. Navy.


ConclusionConclusion

• WFF is a unique and critical national WFF is a unique and critical national resource in support of civil research, national resource in support of civil research, national security and the emerging commercial space security and the emerging commercial space sector and access to space.sector and access to space.

• The sector from 90 degrees to 180 degrees The sector from 90 degrees to 180 degrees from Wallops Island must be excluded from from Wallops Island must be excluded from consideration for any offshore oil and gas consideration for any offshore oil and gas leases.leases.

• Potential cost to VA bullet here….Potential cost to VA bullet here….


Act Now!Act Now!

• List of activities and pertinent List of activities and pertinent contact info here….contact info here….

the case against off-shore drilling eastern shore citizens against off-shore drilling draft – not...

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