Pascrell Opposes Plan To Drill Near
New Jersey Coast
Cites potential impact on environment, economy in the event of a spill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 27, 2015) – Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) released the following statement regarding a plan released by the U.S. Department of Interior on the next steps in the development of the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2017-2022. The plan considers offshore drilling sites in a portion of the Mid- and South Atlantic OCS, which includes areas offshore Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia.
“While I understand and support safe and responsible domestic energy production, I adamantly oppose any plan that proposes offshore drilling near New Jersey,” stated Pascrell. “The potential environmental and economic devastation that could result from an oil spill, particularly on local tourism and fishing industries, far outweigh any potential benefit to handing our beaches over to oil companies. A BP-type oil spill off the coast of Virginia is an unacceptable risk to our state’s economy and natural resources.
“Instead of putting our environment at risk, we should be supporting and encouraging clean, alternative energy development off our shores, as I have tried to do by introducing the Incentivizing Offshore Wind Power Act. New Jersey is primed to be a leader in the offshore wind industry, and this bill will create jobs and increase renewable domestic energy production in the Garden State. New Jerseyans overwhelmingly oppose any drilling that threatens our coast and I will continue to fight in Washington to ensure their voices are heard,” Pascrell concluded.
Office of Congressman Bill Pascrell