Another state attorney has weighed in to oppose seismic airgun blasting permits for the Atlantic.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring submitted his official comment to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) yesterday.

This brings to 10 the number of AGs bringing the authority of their offices to the massive and growing opposition to seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic to explore for oil.

With the public comment period closed for the incidental harassment authorizations (IHA) which the NMFS must approve before any seismic permits can be approved, we now wait.

The good news is that the line-up of legal challengers to take the NMFS to court should it approve the IHA applications is now in place. Of course, it would be better if lawsuits were not needed to protect the vibrant tourism, commercial fishing and recreation economies of the Atlantic Coast.

But if the Trump administration insists on making political decisions rather than listen to the overwhelming voices of Atlantic Coast businesses, residents, environmental organizations and now attorneys general—then it’s to court we will go.

Frank Knapp Jr.