[Paleo Conservative]

or, we could wait and simply buy the oil from China, Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba and Russia who are drilling off the same shores, just 12 or more miles off the shore in international waters. Because, as everyone knows the cause of all the world’s pollution is the USA, every other country is far more ecologically conscious than the evil Americans. < /sarcasm off>

No they couldn't. The 12 mile limit is only for navigational purposes. The US claims a 200 mile exclusive economic zone, and all minerals out to the continental shelf. The states just own the minerals out to 3 miles, except for Texas which claimed 10 miles back when it was the Republic of Texas.

The Truman administration stole Texas' offshore mineral rights between 3 and 10 miles offshore back in the late 1940's, and the federal courts allowed that action to stand. Governor Shivers endorsed Republican presidential candidate General Dwight D. Eisenhower over this issue. That was the beginning of the shift towards the Republican Party in Texas. Eventually Texas' rights to a 10 mile limit were reestablished by federal legislation in the 1950's.

[Dog Gone]

I’m being quite picky, and I’m sure you know this, but the Texas state waters extend out three leagues, which is actually nine miles.

Your point about the economic zone is accurate, although when it conflicts with the economic zone of another country, the boundary is the middle point, which is why Cuba can drill near the Florida Keys.