America's Energy Coast
In 2008, Americans face critical issues: an uncertain economy, war, rising inflation, massive flooding and other natural disasters, crumbling infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change. But one issue has an immediate impact on all Americans; climbing gas prices have opened up the national discussion about the future of our domestic energy supply - a discussion full of questions on how to sustain the environment while fueling an energy hungry nation.
No legitimate national discourse involving energy and the environment can take place without looking to America's potential laboratory for sustainability, where our domestic offshore energy is being produced right now.
The U.S. Gulf Coast - America's Energy Coast (TX, LA, AL and MS) - is at the epicenter of solving crucial issues facing this nation: continued and future exploration and production of fossil fuels, new and alternative energy sources, vulnerable coastal communities and the workforce needed to support energy activities, national navigation needs, decaying and inadequate infrastructure, and imperiled coastal ecosystems.
How we as a nation address the challenges of producing domestic energy in vulnerable coastal landscapes will ultimately set the course for America's sustainable economic and environmental future.