"Feds Hear Applause, Warnings About East Coast Oil"

"NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Industry officials applauded the Obama administration plans to open East Coast waters to oil exploration Tuesday while coastal residents warned about dangers to wildlife, natural beauty and tourism.

'Let's Forget About Dirty Oil,' read a sign held by Marilyn Blizard during a hearing by the Interior Department's Minerals Management Service.

'If there is what happened in the Gulf recently, we have a very serious risk that will become a terrible disaster,' she warned during the public hearing attended by about 50 people.

She said spills like the one in the Gulf of Mexico threaten the state's $18.4 billion tourism industry."

Bruce Smith reports for the Associated Press April 27, 2010.

See Also:

"Opponents Dominate NJ Hearing on Offshore Drilling" (AP)