While no drilling would begin until at least 2012 -- after a federal moratorium on offshore drilling expires -- geophysical testing and exploratory work could begin as soon as next year, said Carol Fagot, a spokeswoman for the Mineral Management Service.
The House version of the energy bill does not include any language on offshore resources inventory so the provision would have to stay intact in a compromise version of the bill to be worked out by a committee of House and Senate members.
Opening up offshore oil and natural gas drilling could be a boon to state revenue, but it also brings concerns about industrial development and the risk of spills and other pollution to an area prized for its beauty.
"There are many more negatives than positives when looking at the potential implications of offshore drilling," said Jim Wescott, executive director of the Lowcountry and Resort Islands Tourism Commission. "The reason that people vacation here and choose to live here is because of the beauty of the area, and I don't think any kind of industrial development is going to beneficial to that -- especially with the environmental concerns."
Although Sens. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., voted in favor of the bill, both voted for an amendment to strip the offshore energy inventory provision from the bill, which was defeated 52-44.
"Senator Graham has been quite clear that he views the South Carolina coast as a cash cow," said Kevin Bishop, Graham's communications director. "That means we shouldn't take action which is going to hurt a great source of revenue for our state's economy. He does not support off-shore drilling in South Carolina."
The Natural Ocean Industries Association, a trade group that represents companies involved in exploration and production of off-shore energy, estimates that 450 million barrels of oil and 4.27 trillion cubic feet of natural gas are off the South Carolina.
"We need more oil, we need more natural gas, and we need it now," said Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss. "We should drill for it where it is, wherever it is -- and we know it can be done in a way that does not harm tourism or the environment."