After Zinke Closed Door Meeting with NJ Republicans on Offshore Drilling, Pallone asks for Meeting with Democrats

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2018


Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) called on Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to meet with New Jersey Democratic Members of Congress about the Trump administration’s sweeping offshore drilling plan that has received bipartisan criticism across the state. The request comes after Secretary Zinke met with Republican members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation without extending an invitation to Democrats. Pallone also asked Zinke to respond to to his letter asking the Interior Secretary to come to New Jersey and meet with citizens who would be affected by offshore drilling.

“While it appears that Secretary Zinke made certain promises to NJ Republicans, we need greater transparency and clarity when it comes to the Trump administration’s plans for offshore drilling,” said Pallone. “The administration’s environmental record has been a disaster and vague statements made behind closed doors will do little to ease the fears of New Jerseyans over offshore drilling.”

The text of the letter can be found below and the letter is also attached.

March 26, 2018

The Honorable Ryan Zinke
Secretary
United States Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240


Dear Secretary Zinke:

I write to request that you meet with the New Jersey’s Congressional Democrats to outline the Administration’s plans for implementing the 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program.

According to multiple media reports, you met with Republican members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation on February 27th to discuss the Administration’s offshore leasing plans. The New Jersey Congressional Delegation is unified in its opposition to the Administration’s proposed OCS leasing program and all members would benefit from greater insight into your thinking. A frank and direct conversation on this important matter will promote transparency and help ensure the voices of those we represent are heard by the Administration, and I urge you to work expeditiously to schedule a meeting to discuss this issue with the Democratic members of the delegation.

On a related note, I would like to follow up with you regarding a January 11, 2018 invitation to personally visit New Jersey to meet with the Governor, lawmakers, and constituents who would be impacted by the 2019-2024 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. I have not received a response from your office on this matter. As you know, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management held a public meeting in New Jersey on February 14, 2018. While constituents from across the state came to voice their opposition to the OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024, there was no opportunity to submit verbal testimony. In light of the large scope of the proposed program and the tremendous local risks associated with the program, I again ask that you schedule a Secretarial visit and afford the people of New Jersey the opportunity to share their views at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your consideration of these requests. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,




FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress