BOEM Swamped by Comments Opposing New Offshore Drilling

The August 17^th deadline for comments to oppose new plans for offshore drilling in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific has come and gone.  Comments from around the country swamped the federal docket to oppose the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM).  BOEM officials believe it may take more than a week for all comments to be uploaded to the on-line docket.  The Atlantic and Clean Ocean Zone was well represented with thousands of letters, including opposition from Governor Chris Christie, and a most impressive roster of federal and state officials. 

NJ Governor Chris Christie stood firm and in a letter on his behalf by the NJDEP the position was clear, “…the State of New Jersey opposes any portion of the North Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Ocean being included in the development of a National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas leasing program.”

At the direction of President Trump’s Executive Orders the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) opened a comment period to collect information and comments from the public on a NEW five-year National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program).

Nationally, New Jersey ocean champs Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-6) and Frank LoBiondo (R-2) led a coast-wide bi-partisan an impressive roster of 66 members of the House of Representatives opposing drilling in the Atlantic and Eastern Gulf of Mexico.  The letter concluded, “Therefore we urge you not to include the Atlantic Ocean or the Easter Gulf of Mexico in the National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024.”

The list includes 9 of NJ’s 13 members, including Reps: Norcross, Pascrell, Sires, Payne, Gottheimer, Watson-Colman, and Lance.  One Rep. from NY Nydia Velazquez signed the letter.   NJ Rep Smith wrote his own letter of opposition.

Endless waves of thanks to all of you and the many the elected leaders who stood up for the ocean!  BOEM expects the decision before the end of the year, but it could come sooner.  Seismic blasting permits from Delaware to Florida are still pending  and can happen any time.  To review copies of elected leaders letters, visit the COA website, cleanoceanaction.org.