Abill in Congress that would end a federal moratorium on offshore drilling for oil and natural gas deserves the Senate's support despite concerns such drilling could harm the state's tourism industry.

The legislation would pave the way for new oil and natural gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf, an area of seabed generally within about 200 miles of U.S. shores. The bill offers some protection to states concerned about how drilling would affect coastal areas. It forbids drilling within 50 miles of shore and gives states the right to double that limit to 100 miles. Oil companies maintain offshore drilling is not a danger to coastal areas, and the legislation says any drilling beyond 50 miles of shore poses little if any danger to the coast.

However, Gov. Mark Sanford wrote to South Carolina's House delegation recently, expressing his concerns over offshore drilling's potential impact on the state's $10 billion-plus tourism industry. The House approved the legislation, 232-187. The yea votes included Rep. Henry Brown, R-Hanahan, whose district includes most of South Carolina's coastline. It now goes to the Senate.

South Carolina does depend on tourism, its No. 1 industry. However, it should be noted that there are states in which a thriving offshore oil industry coexists with booming tourism. It's impossible to say there would be no impact, but it's highly possible that offshore drilling would have minimal impact on state tourism.

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The clearest reason for senators to support this bill, though, is the ever-tightening world oil supply. We are in an era in which the potential benefits of offshore drilling outweigh potential risks. Oil prices are near $80 a barrel, the nation's average gasoline price is about $3 per gallon, supplies are getting tighter, demand is increasing and a volatile geopolitical climate is exacerbating the situation.

Expanding offshore drilling is not a panacea. The Interior Department's Minerals Management Service estimates 85.9 billion barrels of oil could be recovered from of Outer Continental Shelf; the nation uses 21 million barrels a day. Still, any increase in supply -- whether from off the South Carolina coast or beneath the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- can help ease the situation until longer-term solutions are found.

It's time for Congress to take action to end a moratorium that is leaving an important resource inaccessible beneath the oceans off U.S. shores. The House has passed this even-handed measure that frees up this valuable resource while letting states protect their coastal resources. The Senate should do the same.