SC Jobs & Economy
Offshore access to South Carolina’s rich stores of oil and natural gas would strengthen our nation's energy and national security, and boost the Palmetto State’s economy.
The oil and natural gas industry already supports more than 60,000 jobs in South Carolina alone. These jobs add $4.3 billion to South Carolina’s gross state product, or 2.8% of its wealth. The industry supports jobs not just in exploring, producing, refining, transporting and marketing oil and natural gas, but also through the purchases it makes of other goods and services that support the industry’s operations (Source: API: The Economic Impacts of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry).
Providing access to areas off the shore of South Carolina will further boost jobs and revenues for schools, roads and other much-needed services. However, we must start now to begin reaping these benefits. We cannot afford to keep relying on foreign sources of oil from nations that do not share our best interests.
