US House Energy Bill Threatens Ocean

     The Administration’s energy bill passed in the US House of Representatives.  It includes many provisions that threaten and undermine ocean, coastal, and environmental protections.  A majority of NJ’s congressional delegation (10 of 13 members) voted against the bill.  An energy bill has yet to be introduced in the US Senate.  For the list of votes and/or harmful provisions of the bill, please contact COA.

Regional Efforts to Halt Offshore Oil & Gas Drilling

     In early April, US Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2) introduced a bill that would permanently ban oil and natural gas exploration off the NJ shore.  The bill, H.R. 1571, would make permanent the current moratorium on drilling on the outer continental shelf (OCS) and ban leasing for the purpose of exploration or extraction of oil or gas within 125 miles of the NJ coast.  The bill is being considered by the House Committee on Resources.  For a list of co-sponsors, contact COA’s Sandy Hook office.

     Also, on April 23rd, US Senator Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and US Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-6) announced H.R. 1798, a bill to permanently place a moratorium on oil and gas exploration and drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the entire Mid-Atlantic, including NJ’s coast.  The new legislation, called the “Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act,” would permanently extend the federal moratorium, now scheduled to expire in 2012.  It would also forbid any federal expenditures for preliminary work paving the way for offshore exploration, such as environmental impact studies.