Oregon Coast Drill Ban Expires

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- With the beginning of 2010, a three-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling in Oregon's territorial sea is expiring.
Environmentalists say they will push the Legislature to adopt a permanent ban.
The Oregonian newspaper reports the Legislature might consider just extending the moratorium, or it might skip the topic if it has to focus its brief session on budget cuts.
The state's territorial sea extends from shore to three nautical miles, or about 3.5 terrestrial miles. Congress has barred drilling in the federal seas beyond.
Oil companies are not expected to make a bid soon for drilling off Oregon's coast.
Environmental groups say a permanent ban would send a message that Oregon's waters are off limits.