Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06) today reintroduced the Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti-Drilling Act that would ban offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. The bipartisan COAST Anti-Drilling Act would permanently prohibit the U.S. Department of Interior from issuing leases for the exploration, development, or production of oil and gas in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida Planning Areas of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
“As the devastating impacts of climate change become ever more clear and Big Oil rakes in record profits on the backs of hardworking families, the last thing we need is another handout to the oil industry that endangers our shore communities,” said Sen. Menendez. “The COAST Anti-Drilling Act draws a line in the sand—a line that we must never let Big Oil cross—by permanently banning drilling throughout the Atlantic. The Jersey Shore is a birthright for every New Jerseyan and for families across the country who have been visiting our shoreline for generations. I look forward to working with Rep. Pallone and my colleagues in the Senate to safeguard our coastal communities, economy, and marine ecosystems, and protect our coast once and for all.”
“Coastal communities depend on a healthy ecosystem to thrive, and an oil spill would threaten the economic vitality of the Jersey shoreline and communities up and down the Atlantic Coast. In my home state of New Jersey, the fishing and recreation industry supports over half a million jobs – jobs that would be put at immediate risk if Washington Republicans open up our coast to offshore drilling that could drench the Jersey Shore in oil,” said Rep. Pallone. “Big Oil already controls millions of acres of public lands and waters, and they aren’t using most of it. There is simply no reason to put our oceans and coastline at risk for an industry that isn’t using what it already has. I won’t stand idly by while Republicans prioritize another giveaway to their Big Oil friends over the jobs and interests of New Jersey communities.”
Sen. Menendez has been a leader in fighting against drilling in the Atlantic and is leading the Senate version of the COAST Anti-Drilling bill. Senate co-sponsors include Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) Angus King (I-Maine), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) Diane Feinstein (D-Calif), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren. (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
“An oil spill in the Atlantic Ocean could devastate beaches, fisheries, and marine life and harm our coastal communities, including the thousands of small businesses along the Jersey Shore,” said Sen. Booker. “We must protect our vibrant seaside communities and coastal ecosystems against this potential catastrophe. By banning offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic region, this bill would prevent oil-related disasters in New Jersey and neighboring states.”
“Clean Ocean Action is honored and proud that for 40 years New Jersey’s elected leaders have led the way with bi-partisan support, to oppose offshore drilling, along with a united environmental community,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. “As the coalition leading citizen campaigns, we applaud the longstanding dynamic duo of US Senator Bob Menendez and US Rep. Frank Pallone who have championed this important goal over the years. At long last, the time has come to ban this risky, fossil fuel bane of the sea.”
“A clean and unpolluted ocean are central to our lives and our coastal economy. Offshore oil and gas have no place here: where they drill they spill. The COAST act will ensure our ocean is protected and will continue to provide us with clean water, healthy fisheries and oil free beaches. We thank Congressman Pallone and the other sponsors for their unfailing leadership in protecting our ocean and coast,” said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director, American Littoral Society.
“Coastal communities deserve a healthy ocean and oil-free beaches, and it’s time for Congress to permanently protect our coast from devastating oil spills that threaten our coastal economy,” said Oceana Campaign Director Diane Hoskins. “Oceana applauds Senator Menendez for reintroducing the Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti-Drilling Act, which would permanently protect the entire Atlantic coast from dirty and dangerous offshore drilling. More drilling means more climate pollution, which we cannot afford. Permanently protecting our coasts from offshore drilling is a crucial step toward addressing the climate crisis and protecting millions of jobs that rely on a clean coast economy. Congress must act to simultaneously combat climate change and help safeguard our clean coast economy, by permanently protecting our coasts from offshore oil.”
On the House side, nearly all members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation have joined the bipartisan effort to stop offshore drilling by signing onto the COAST Anti-Drilling Act as original cosponsors. The full list of House co-sponsors includes Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07), Gerald Connolly (D-Va.-11), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.-09), Jimmy Panetta D-Calif.-19), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine-01), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-01), Bobby Scott (D-Va.-03), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.-12), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.-02), Ed Case (D-Hawaii-01), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.-03), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.-12), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.-02), Donald Payne (D-N.J.-10), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), David Cicilline (D-R.I.-01), Andy Kim (D-N.J.-02), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.-03), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.-At-Large), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.-01), Tom Kean, Jr. (R-N.J.-07), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05), Katie Porter (D-Calif.-47), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.-30), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.-01), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.-06), and Rob Menendez (D-N.J.-08)
An oil spill along the Atlantic Coast would devastate coastal communities and wildlife habitats. The Jersey Shore is home to over $700 billion in coastal properties, and the tourism industry generates almost half a million jobs – nearly ten percent of the state’s entire workforce. New Jersey’s commercial fishing industry generates billions annually and supports over 50,000 jobs. New Jersey also has one of the largest saltwater recreational fishing industries in the United States.
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