President Obama has placed a moratorium on new oil drill leases and politicians in coastal states are questioning the validity of sinking oil drilling platforms off their shores.
And although the impact of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is yet to be realized, one thing is certain; memory of the incident will eventually fade among the bulk of the nation’s residents not living in coastal counties.
And, it is unlikely the current crisis will end future debate about oil drilling off Florida’s shores.
As yet, there is no viable alternative to the combustion engine and the demand for oil among developing nations will only increase.
As land-based oil pockets play out, political pressure will mount to tap ocean reserves.
Eventually, gasoline prices will top anything we have experienced to date and the hue and cry among residents in non-coastal states for new drilling will drown out opposition from those living along the coast.
It is likely oil exploration in the Gulf will resume, and Florida waters will be once again targeted by large oil companies.
Hopefully, the spill will, at a minimum, lead to stricter prevention measures to protect against future oil spills.
Now is the time to pressure politicians for those prevention measures; for more state control over emergency response; and for a better contingency plan for cleanup efforts.

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