It's time to add some common sense to the debate over offshore energy development. The benefits are obvious: More domestic energy, more jobs, a much needed boost to the economy without depending on government spending, improved U.S. energy security, and fewer U.S. dollars being sent overseas to purchase oil from other countries. At a time when the unemployment rate continues to hover just below 10 percent and American families are worried about their futures, now is the time to open more areas to energy development.

But don't take it from me. Instead, consider the wise words of Gary P. Luquette, President of Chevron North America Exploration and Production Co. In a blog post at the Huffington Post, Gary disagrees with President Obama who said recently that this country must make "tough" decisions about offshore development:

"When it comes to respectfully developing America's abundant oil and natural gas resources--including areas in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)--there's nothing tough about this decision. We should be developing America's Outer Continental Shelf, and we should be doing it now. It's a huge win for America."

Gary explains that offshore development could provide more than one million barrels of oil or oil equivalent each day to the U.S. economy, accounting for about one-fifth of today's domestic energy production. He adds that exploration and production need not threaten the environment:

"The same capability that allows us to operate in the Gulf's extremes--in over 10,000 feet of water, for example--also safeguards our people and the environment. Advances in technology provide tremendous benefit, but that's reinforced by how we operate. Even if a soft drink can accidentally fell overboard, we'd report it. We know that our ability to operate in the rest of the OCS depends on doing things in a responsible and sustainable way. We take this responsibility very seriously."

The full text of Gary's blog post can be found here. A few months ago, Gary also participated in an EnergyTomorrow Radio podcast.