USA: Congressman Pallone Opposes GOP Offshore Oil Drilling Plan

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) voted against the H.R. 6082, a bill that expands offshore oil drilling off the East Coast in the Atlantic Ocean. The Republican offshore drilling plan would expose environmentally sensitive areas and coastal communities to unprecedented risk and could potentially devastate the nation’s Eastern seaboard.

“I am totally opposed to offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast and as a representative from a coastal district, I am fearful of the impact it may have on my constituents,” said Pallone. “This bill pursues a very dangerous policy agenda by providing Big Oil access to drill in the Atlantic Ocean, and putting valuable marine resources and beaches at risk.”

H.R. 6082 restores Bush era policies that force lease sales in Atlantic waters. Pallone offered an Amendment to the bill in the House Rules Committee, which was rejected by Republicans, that would have removed the requirement to move forward with certain lease sales. The amendment would have protected the coastal economy in New Jersey and the surrounding states.

“Opening up portions of the Atlantic to drill is unnecessary because giving Big Oil unfettered access to drill in our oceans will do little to nothing to ease the pain at the pump for consumers,” said Pallone. “We can’t drill our way to solving our energy problems. We need to get out of that mindset and focus on investments in more sustainable energy solutions. The only real solution to protecting consumers from volatile gas prices is to reduce our dependency on oil.”

[mappress]
Press Release, July 26, 2012