Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory says he would sign an executive order allowing oil drilling off the North Carolina coast.

McCrory announced that this morning in Greenville.

His opponent, Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue is against off shorre drilling.

Top Republicans have sought to lift a moratorium on offshore drilling so that states can have the option of allowing exploration off their shores.

Original Story

Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory is holding a press conference to announce his position on offshore drilling.

The Charlotte mayor will speak Monday morning in Greenville and Monday afternoon in Raleigh about the issue. Top Republicans have sought to lift a moratorium on offshore drilling so that states can have the option of allowing exploration off their shores.

North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole said last week she supports the proposal, changing her mind after years of opposition.

McCrory's opponent, Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue, opposes the idea.

The federal government believes the billions of barrels of oil off the U.S. coast wouldn't significantly affect production or prices before 2030. A U.S. Energy Information Administration report last year also said the new oil would do little to move prices after that.