Keith Rella, 732-872-0111, Policy@cleanoceanaction.org

US Senators from NJ Take a Stand Against Oil & Gas Drilling

     Last month, the US Senate voted to open eight million acres in the Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling.  This bill now has the potential to be combined with a dangerous bill already approved by the US House of Representatives, possibly opening the Atlantic Coast to drilling.  US Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) show continued leadership to stop offshore oil and gas drilling.  The two Senators, along with Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), have written a bi-coastal letter to Senate majority and minority leadership promising to “object to any unanimous consent agreement to go to conference with the House,” resulting in blocking the bill.

     During offshore drilling debates, some members of Congress supported the argument that offshore drilling would pose little risk to waters and beaches.  However, the recent exposure of BP’s inability to maintain a critical oil delivery pipeline in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and official results of damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have cast further doubt on the industry’s safety and environmental capabilities.  The hurricanes destroyed offshore oil and gas rigs, damaged hundreds of pipelines, and spilled 741,384 gallons of petroleum products into the sea.

Long Island Offshore Wind Park

     COA submitted comments to the US Minerals Management Service regardgin scoping for the Environmental Impact Statement to be submitted for the Long Island Offshore Wind Park. Comments requested the applicant address issues associated with the construction, operations, and decommissioning of a large-scale offshore wind facility as they relate to resident and migratory organisms and water quality concerns.  The comments are posted on our website (“Issues and Campaigns” and Offshore Wind Energy).