Special Places Should Remain Off-Limits To Offshore Fossil Fuel Development

 

Yesterday, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that President Trump will sign another executive order to roll back sensible protections for the environment. This executive order directs the Secretary of the Interior to review plans for – and likely expand – offshore oil and gas exploration areas including the South Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean.

 

“Southern Atlantic waters are home to globally important marine life and biodiversity, and the Arctic Ocean is home to some of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet. Opening these special places to offshore drilling shows a blatant disregard for critical wetlands, estuaries, essential fish habitat, marine mammals and other aquatic species along the Southern Atlantic Coast and for the near-pristine ecosystems of the Arctic.

 

“More than 100 coastal communities and nearly 1,000 local businesses along the Southern Atlantic coast have expressed opposition to offshore drilling. By his actions today, President Trump has sent a clear message that he prioritizes the oil and gas industry over the needs of working Americans in our coastal communities who depend on healthy fishing and tourism economies for their livelihoods.

 

“Hazardous conditions in the offshore Arctic environment increases the risk of accidents, and may exceed our technical capacities to respond effectively to protect human life or limit the impact on the coastal and marine environment if a disaster were to strike. 

 

“We will continue to strongly advocate for the restoration of coastal environments where offshore drilling already takes place, such as those in the Gulf of Mexico, and we will continue to stand with coastal communities as they fight to preserve their way of life.”

 

- Elizabeth Thompson, EDF Vice President for U.S. Climate and Political Affairs