Air Force considers leasing parts of Vandenberg AFB for offshore oil drilling

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

U.S. Air Force officials said they will study the economic and environmental feasibility of a proposal to lease land on Vandenberg Air Force Base to companies that want to drill for oil and natural gas on California's central coast.

Mark Meier, chief counsel for the State Lands Commission, said the proposal, which is opposed by environmental groups, would require the first new offshore lease for drilling in state waters since the 1960s.

The proposal from Sunset Exploration Inc. and Exxon Mobil Corp. would employ a type of extraction called "slant drilling," the Los Angeles Times reported. The drilling uses onshore equipment to reach offshore deposits, and it would have to be compatible with the base's space missions.

Environmental groups have long fought drilling on California's coast, saying it poses risks to marine life.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/20/5582317/air-force-considers-drilling-for.html

[KoKo]

1. Here we go......