An offshore drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico. (image: eightylbs via flickr.com)

The hot topic of climate change has infiltrated debates over whether or not to allow oil companies to expand offshore oil drilling. On Thursday, the Houston Chronicle reported that Shell executives spoke before a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee panel investigating whether or not Congress should attach more environmental safeguards to offshore drilling operations.

Asserting that more restrictions are not necessary as Shell’s environmental safeguards and technological advancements allow the company to drill with little environmental impact, Shell president Marvin Odum went on argue that the government should allow oil companies to expand offshore oil and gas production.

Shell’s request for expanded offshore drilling rights may be affected by the cap and trade legislation that is currently being debated in Washington. On October 21, HeatingOil.com reported that oil and gas companies rejected a compromise offered by Senators John Kerry and Lindsey Graham that would allow for expanded drilling provisions in return for support of a cap and trade system. To further restrict offshore drilling might only increase the energy industry’s opposition to any climate bill.

Oil and gas companies are not the only ones Democrats have been willing to compromise with. On November 17, HeatingOil.com reported that some Senate Democrats are open to increased use of nuclear power in return for Republican support of cap-and-trade. However, much like big oil and gas, increased use of nuclear energy has yet to entice Republicans into accepting cap and trade.

While it is impossible to tell as of now whether oil and gas companies will ever support cap and trade legislation, it is clear that all future discussions concerning energy production will be at least partially framed by environmental impact and climate change.