F... gas prices

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by saden1

Huh? Cubans and Chines drilling U.S. Waters? Surely they can't just waltz in and setup shop.

The international standard for a country's own waters is 12 nautical miles offshore. We (the U.S.) have invoked a Contiguous Zone out to 24 nuatical miles. There is also an Exclusive economic zone which extends out 200 nautical miles, unless the limit overlaps with another country.

Territorial waters - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The drilling in the proposed legislation was between 50-200mi offshore. I don't know if the areas proposed were actually in conflict with the Cuban initiatives (they probably weren't). However, approving offshore drilling initiatives is the first step in addressing the problem of the Cuban government selling their oil drilling rights off the NW shore (within 50 miles of Key West) to the Chinese and other countries. Repealing the embargo on Cuba is the second step. Considering the current world energy situation, the potential for environmental damage created by the Chinese, and the potential for greater Chinese influence in the region this is a strategic position we should take IMO (keep your friends close and your enemies closer).

FOXNews.com - U.S. Concerned By Cuban Oil Drilling Off Coast - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum