In order to protect the coastline of the US from the dangers of offshore oil drilling, Congressman Jared Huffman reintroduced, on January 8 the West Coast Ocean Protection Act and the Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act.
Commenting on the Act, Mr. Huffman said that America’s oceans must be protected from dangerous offshore drilling.
Opening our public waters up to oil and gas companies puts fragile ecosystems in jeopardy for environmental catastrophe. We cannot stand idly by while the Trump administration places the short-term profit goals of polluters over the long-term interests of the American people
The Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act would make the Arctic Ocean off-limits to any future drilling proposals by not allowing any new or renewed leases for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas or any other minerals in the Arctic Ocean Planning Areas of the Outer Continental Shelf.
In addition, Rep. Cunningham is introducing the Coastal Economies Protection Act, Rep. Carbajal (D-CA) is introducing the California Clean Coast Act, Rep. McEachin (D-VA) is introducing the Defend Our Coast Act, Rep. Pallone (D-NJ) is introducing the Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act, Rep. Cicilline (D-RI) is introducing the New England Coastal Protection Act, and Rep. Castor (D-FL) is introducing the Florida Coastal Protection Act.
The West Coast Ocean Protection Act would permanently protect the California, Oregon, and Washington coasts by changing the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit new oil or natural gas leases in each state’s outer continental shelves. It will also permanently protect the $44 billion coastal economies of the three states, which support about 650,000 jobs.
Moreover, Leah Donahey, legislative director at Alaska Wilderness League, noted that highlighted that the Arctic is fragile and remote with little to no infrastructure to deal with possible oil spills. What is more, the region continues to warm, and this warming is reflected in the extreme climate-related events across the continent.
Sea ice is disappearing, and iconic Arctic species like polar bears face an uncertain future. Simply put, it would be irresponsible to drill there
