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BAPAC Calls for Permanent Protections for Entire Atlantic Coast
September 11, 2020 - By: - In: Press Releases - Comments Off on BAPAC Calls for Permanent Protections for Entire Atlantic Coast

In response to President Trump’s announcement of offshore drilling protections for South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida

BAPAC Statement, September 11, 2020

 

Contacts:

Tom Kies, (252) 726-6350,  tom@nccoastchamber.com

Sandra Bundy, (843) 902-7615,  sandrabundy@gmail.com

 

On Tuesday, President Trump announced a 10-year moratorium on offshore drilling leasing along Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts, as well as the coasts of Georgia and South Carolina. While it’s heartening to see that the administration has clearly taken notice of the overwhelming bipartisan opposition to offshore drilling along the east coast, the President’s actions fall short of addressing the needs of all Atlantic coastal communities, our businesses, and our economy. All our coasts must be protected, fully and forever. There is simply too much at stake for us to settle for anything less.

Here are the facts:

  • A healthy Atlantic Ocean and clean coast supports nearly 1.4 million jobs and over $95 billion in GDP along the eastern seaboard.
  • Offshore drilling is dirty, dangerous and unnecessary. Wherever we drill, we spill.
  • Oil spills do not respect state lines. Drilling anywhere in the Atlantic is a threat to our communities and economy anywhere along the East Coast.
  • President Trump still has a plan to open nearly all U.S. waters to offshore drilling and his administration is actively working to open the Atlantic, including off the coast of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, to seismic airgun blasting to search for oil and gas.

We will not be satisfied with a compromise that leaves so much of our coast at risk. It is time to protect all our nation’s waters, and we are calling on Congress to take up the mantle and finish the job. Congress must make these protections permanent and extend them to all our coasts. Our coastal communities, our economy, our beaches and our country are counting on permanent protections across the board. Until we secure them, we fight on.

 


The Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast is the leading business organization working to ensure the long-term health and economic vitality of the Atlantic seaboard through responsible stewardship of the coastal and ocean waters. Visit www.protectingtheatlanticcoast.org to learn more.