New Jersey Strong - Congressmen Vote to Defend Clean Coastal Economy

Ocean defenders say “NO” to expanded offshore oil drilling and fight to
protect clean ocean economies

This afternoon, the New Jersey and New York Congressional delegations voted nearly unanimously (12-1) in bi-partisan support for the ocean by saying “NO” to HR 2231, the latest attempt to bring Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling to the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, despite New Jersey’s strong bipartisan opposition, and the support of New York’s coastal Congressional Democrats, the bill ultimately passed.

This vote, by the House of Representatives seeking to open a majority of the nation’s oceans to offshore energy production, will not likely be passed by the Senate.  Clean Ocean Action’s Coastal Policy Attorney Sean Dixon had testified to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources in opposition to HR 2231 on June 11, 2013. 

New Jersey Representatives Mr. LoBiondo (R-2nd),  Mr. Runyan (R-3rd), Mr. Smith (R-4th), Mr. Lance   (R-7th), and Mr. Frelinghuysen (R-11th) joined with New Jersey Democrats Mr. Andrews (D-1st), Mr.  Pallone (D-6th), Mr. Pascrell (D-9th),  Mr. Payne (D-10th),  Mr. Holt (D- 12th), and Mr. Sires (D-8th), in voting against this bill that could bring oil and gas rigs to the greater Atlantic Ocean.   The only vote in favor of offshore drilling by a New Jersey Republican was Mr. Garrett (R-5th).  

“The support for the ocean by the NY and NJ Congressmen today affirmed the region’s longstanding leadership and bi-partisan commitment to our clean ocean economies,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. “Now more than ever in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, we are extremely proud that our NJ leaders have defended our clean ocean economies, including fisheries, coastal businesses, and the Atlantic Ocean.”