If Congress is even remotely contemplating relaxing bans on offshore oil and gas drilling in South Carolina, the people of Beaufort County need to be in the loop.

This community's economy is based on natural resources. Those resources, including the Atlantic Ocean beaches, must be clean and desirable for the economy to survive.

There is good reason that drilling for gas and oil off our shores is banned. There is good reason that it has been banned for many years, with support from both Republican and Democratic presidents.

Now that bills to lift the bans are said to be quietly gaining steam in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, the public first needs to be reminded why bans were put in place in the first place.

The public needs to know what the problems or potential problems are with offshore drilling. Where would it take place? One mile or 65 miles offshore? What would be the risk to the local economy? What would the benefits be?

Federal bans on drilling are to expire in 2012.

But a couple of proposals in Congress could cut that ban short by offering states money. A Senate bill would allow governors to waive the moratoriums in exchange for cash from the federal government.

A separate draft proposal in the House also would enable states to override the federal exploration ban in exchange for money.

Gov. Mark Sanford told us this week he has heard no support or push for that change at the state level.

At the federal level, Sen. Jim DeMint says perhaps underwater natural gas exploration could be acceptable, but oil drilling should be off the table as far as South Carolina is concerned. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson indicate no support for altering the federal ban.

The people need to know more about the proposed changes and the legislation. There certainly should be nothing quiet about a potential change in federal offshore energy exploration policy that dates to 1981.