LoBiondo Opposes Allowing for Offshore Drilling in Atlantic Ocean

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A leading voice of opposition to offshore drilling near New Jersey’s coastline, U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) on April 28, 2017 reaffirmed his strong opposition to opening new parts of the Atlantic Ocean, including off the coast of Cape May County, for oil and natural gas drilling. President Trump signed an executive order on April 28, 2017 reversing the Obama Administration moratorium on exploration in the Atlantic Ocean.
“I have long warned against drilling in the Mid-Atlantic region, which would put at risk some of the nation’s most sensitive coastal and marine resources, including those off New Jersey. Protecting these areas means a great deal to the local residents and coastal communities that rely on the cleanliness of our beaches and our tourism economy – a $43 billion industry that supports more than 500,000 jobs. Additionally, our robust commercial and recreational fisheries, some of the largest in the nation, generate over a billion dollars in revenue,” said LoBiondo. “I have been proud to the lead bipartisan opposition to efforts by Republican and Democratic Presidents to issue new drilling leases in these waters. The fight continues.”
Yesterday LoBiondo and Representative Don Beyer (VA-08) introduced legislation to halt permits for seismic airgun blasting on the Atlantic seaboard. Companies use seismic blasting in their surveying process, but the practice has significant, adverse effects on marine species.
In Feb., LoBiondo introduced H.R. 728, which would prohibit drilling off the coast of New Jersey. He has introduced similar legislation in each Congress since 1999.
LoBiondo has also signed on as an original cosponsor to legislation by Representative Mark Sanford (SC-01) that would place a 10-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean and parts of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. The legislation could be introduced as soon as today.