Distance rules increase oil-drilling dangers

The oil spill from the BP PLC well in the Gulf of Mexico has become an environmental matter, particularly for politicians looking to blame anyone but themselves.

It is noteworthy the government is requiring oil drilling some 50 miles or more off shore. That far out, the water depth is significantly deeper than if drilled fewer than

50 miles off shore.

For example, in the Gulf of Mexico, drilling an oil well less than 50 miles from shore is typically in water that is about 1,000 feet deep or less. When the oil well is drilled 50 miles or more off shore, the water depth is typically 5,000 feet or more, creating several orders of magnitude of risks and posing a technical challenge.

Let the oil industry drill within 50 miles off shore and keep the government out of business and technology for which it lacks in technology and management skills.

Gary C. Young

Cedar Rapids