Pallone Blasts Trump Consideration of Seismic Testing in the Atlantic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2017


Washington D.C.- Today Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) blasted the Trump administration’s reported consideration of authorizing seismic testing in the Atlantic.

“President Trump is determined to continue his reckless anti-environment agenda,” said Pallone. “Seismic testing risks injuring and disturbing critically endangered species and threatening the Jersey shore. An environmentally sound coast is critical to New Jersey’s economy and given the Interior Department’s recent actions, it is very possible that seismic testing could lead to oil and gas drilling off our coast – threatening public health, coastal communities, and hundreds of thousands of jobs. Quite simply, no seismic testing should be allowed in the Atlantic; New Jersey communities don’t want it, and the Atlantic should not be subjected to this risk.”

In January 2017, the Obama administration denied six pending geophysical and geological (G&G) permit applications to conduct air gun seismic surveys in the Mid- and South Atlantic Planning Areas of the Atlantic Ocean. This decision followed years of effort by Pallone to prevent seismic testing, including his successful urging of the Obama Administration to reject previous seismic testing applications.

Last October, Pallone led a letter from members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), applauding the agency’s Ocean Noise Strategy Roadmap, which proposed numerous measures to reduce ocean noise, and urging NOAA to take immediate steps to implement the plan, specifically by denying seismic testing permits in the Atlantic

In 2015, Congressman Pallone led a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) raising serious concerns over proposed seismic testing off the coast of New Jersey. The members demanded comprehensive environmental assessments of the proposed seismic testing permits and the impact this testing could have on wildlife in the Atlantic Ocean.

Pallone also asked National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries for a public hearing on proposed seismic testing in the Atlantic Ocean that could potentially be used to open the Atlantic Ocean to oil and gas exploration.

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Pallone Blasts Reported Trump Administration Plans to Expand Offshore Drilling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2017



Washington, D.C. –Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement today after reports that the Trump administration is planning an executive order this week seeking an expansion of drilling off the U.S. coastline.

“While the details about what this order will do are scarce, President Trump has made it very clear how important offshore drilling is to his dangerous and reckless anti-environment agenda that threatens‎ the future of our environment and New Jersey’s coast. An oil spill anywhere along the Atlantic Coast would cause severe environmental damage to fisheries, popular beaches and wildlife – which is why members of both parties have stood up against proposals to expand coastal drilling.”

Rep. Pallone has been a longtime leader in the fight to protect the Atlantic coast, sponsoring legislation to prevent offshore drilling. Pallone wrote to the Secretary of the Interior in 2010 voicing strong opposition to a plan to enable drilling in the Atlantic. He did this even before the Deepwater Horizon disaster brought offshore drilling to the forefront of the news.

Pallone was a leader in the fight to remove a dangerous provision from the Obama Administration’s 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program that would have authorized new offshore oil and gas leasing along the southern Atlantic coast. And in December, after Pallone led a letter signed by 73 of his colleagues urging a permanent ban to coastal drilling along the Artic and Atlantic coasts, President Obama exercised his authority to do just that – permanently banning offshore drilling in deep water canyons from Virginia to New England, including off the New Jersey coast, and in much of the Arctic Ocean.

Pallone Blasts Reported Trump Administration Plans to Expand Offshore Drilling

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2017


Washington, D.C. –Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement today after reports that the Trump administration is planning an executive order seeking an expansion of drilling off the U.S. coastline.

“The Trump administration’s reported plans to expand offshore drilling is just the latest development in its dangerous and reckless anti-environment agenda that threatens the future of our environment and New Jersey’s coast.

“Oil spills don’t respect state borders. The fact remains that opening up the Atlantic Ocean for fossil fuel development is unnecessary, poses a serious threat to our coastal communities, and is the wrong approach. An oil spill anywhere along the Atlantic Coast would cause severe environmental damage to fisheries, popular beaches and wildlife – which is why members of both parties have stood up against proposals to expand coastal drilling.”

Rep. Pallone has been a longtime leader in the fight to protect the Atlantic coast, sponsoring legislation since 2010 to prevent expansions of offshore drilling. Pallone wrote to the Secretary of the Interior in 2010 voicing strong opposition to a plan to enable drilling in the Atlantic. He did this even before the Deepwater Horizon disaster brought offshore drilling to the forefront of the news.

Pallone was a leader in the fight to remove a dangerous provision from the Obama Administration’s 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program that would have authorized new offshore oil and gas leasing along the southern Atlantic coast. And in December, after Pallone led a letter signed by 73 of his colleagues urging a permanent ban to coastal drilling along the Artic and Atlantic coasts, President Obama exercised his authority to do just that – permanently banning offshore drilling in deep water canyons from Virginia to New England, including off the New Jersey coast, and in much of the Arctic Ocean.

Pallone Fights Back Against Efforts to Expand Seismic Testing and Offshore Drilling Into Atlantic Ocean

Interior Department Official Reports that Environmental Report on Seismic Testing in the Atlantic Will Be Finalized Without Complete Marine Mammal Impact Guidelines

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) continued his push against oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic at a hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

At the hearing Pallone questioned Deputy Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Walter Cruickshank and expressed his concern regarding the inevitable environmental and economic costs of expanding oil and gas exploration into the Atlantic Ocean.

Pallone continued his opposition to seismic testing in the Atlantic and requested that BOEM not finalize its Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) before the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration completes guidelines on the impact of sound on marine life, such as endangered whales. Deputy Director Cruickshank responded negatively and said that the Bureau intends to move forward with finalizing their PEIS without waiting for this important new scientific guidance.

Pallone also focused on the cost that drilling would have on jobs in New Jersey. “In New Jersey, the tourism sector, which is anchored to our clean beaches and ocean, generated $34.7 billion in 2012 alone—that is 7.0 percent of the entire state economy,” said Pallone. “Tourism sustained more than 500,000 jobs or 10 percent of total employment in the state. Commercial fishing supports more than 43,000 jobs and recreational fishing supports almost another 10,000 jobs. What assurances can you offer me and my constituents that oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic will not put these jobs and my state’s economy at risk?”

The Deputy Director stated that the Department of Interior has made no decisions about whether to move forward with drilling in the Atlantic. He conceded that implementing the recommendations of the National Commission on the B. P. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling by Congress would improve drilling safety. However, Pallone noted that House Republican leadership has refused to implement the Commission’s recommendations

Pallone also questioned Dr. Donald Boesch, a member of the Commission, about their recommendation that Congress give NOAA a formal consultative role during Interior’s development of offshore drilling plans. Dr. Boesch agreed that NOAA should be involved as the agency responsible for monitoring and researching marine mammals. Pallone called on Congress to enact this reform.

Pallone Stands Up to Big Oil and Fights to Protect Atlantic Coast from Offshore Drilling

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce and Natural Resource Committees, issued the following statement following passage of H.R. 2231, Offshore Energy and Jobs Act. The bill would expand leasing for offshore drilling to the Atlantic Coast, which Pallone has consistently opposed:

“I oppose H.R. 2231, the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act. By requiring offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean, this bill threatens New Jersey’s coastal environment, fishing, tourism and the associated jobs and economic activity. This bill is the same old failed attempt by the Republican majority to give away public resources to wealthy, multi-national corporations at the cost of American taxpayers and our environment.

“In New Jersey, tourism is a top industry, and we rely on our beaches, fisheries and clean ocean to attract that tourism. In 2011, the commercial fishing industry in New Jersey generated $6.6 billion in sales and contributed $2.4 billion to gross state product, while supporting 44,000 jobs. At the same time, New Jersey’s recreational fisheries generated $1.7 billion in sales and contributed $871 million to gross state product, while supporting 10,000 jobs.

“I made an effort to give a voice to those Americans living on the Atlantic Coast who want to protect their livelihoods, who want to preserve a clean ocean and who want to ensure the health of marine life. I proposed an amendment to the bill which would have given the House of Representatives an opportunity to vote on whether we should force drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. However, my amendment was not allowed to even come to a full vote because of Republican opposition.

“At a time when domestic energy production is booming under President Obama, this rushed expansion of unsafe drilling into environmentally sensitive areas is completely unwarranted. This legislation unnecessarily rewards wealthy, multi-national who are sitting on 30 million acres worth of approved leases, waiting to drill until prices are even higher.

“Energy independence is a matter of smart economic progress and national security and the American people deserve real proposals that will move our country forward. The American people deserve better than this same old bill that is sure to go nowhere once again.”

Congressman Frank Pallone Votes to Oppose GOP Offshore Oil Drilling Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, July 25, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) voted against the H.R. 6082, a bill that expands offshore oil drilling off the East Coast in the Atlantic Ocean.  The Republican offshore drilling plan would expose environmentally sensitive areas and coastal communities to unprecedented risk and could potentially devastate the nation’s Eastern seaboard.

“I am totally opposed to offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast and as a representative from a coastal district, I am fearful of the impact it may have on my constituents,” said Pallone.  “This bill pursues a very dangerous policy agenda by providing Big Oil access to drill in the Atlantic Ocean, and putting valuable marine resources and beaches at risk.”

H.R. 6082 restores Bush era policies that force lease sales in Atlantic waters.  Pallone offered an Amendment to the bill in the House Rules Committee, which was rejected by Republicans, that would have removed the requirement to move forward with certain lease sales.  The amendment would have protected the coastal economy in New Jersey and the surrounding states.

“Opening up portions of the Atlantic to drill is unnecessary because giving Big Oil unfettered access to drill in our oceans will do little to nothing to ease the pain at the pump for consumers,” said Pallone.  “We can't drill our way to solving our energy problems.  We need to get out of that mindset and focus on investments in more sustainable energy solutions.  The only real solution to protecting consumers from volatile gas prices is to reduce our dependency on oil.”

Congressman Pallone Praises Interior Department Decision to allow more Public Input on Seismic Testing in the Atlantic Ocean

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, May 31, 2012

Opposes seismic testing as it potentially opens the Atlantic coast to offshore drilling

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) applauded the announcement yesterday by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to extend the opportunity for the public to comment and have input on upcoming seismic testing for oil exploration off the Atlantic Coast. Congressman Pallone requested that the Interior Department extend the public comment period during his questioning of BOEM Director Tommy Beaudreau at a Natural Resources Committee hearing on May 9.


The Department of Interior announced its decision to begin seismic testing off the coast of the Mid and South Atlantic in March, potentially opening up the Atlantic Ocean to offshore drilling. New Jersey is strongly dependent on a healthy coastline for its economic vitality. New Jersey’s beach and ocean environment generates $38 billion per year in economic activity and supports nearly 500,000 jobs.


“An environmentally sound coast-line is critical to New Jersey’s economy, and seismic testing in the Atlantic is a first step toward oil drilling off the coast,” said Pallone. “I remain absolutely opposed to oil drilling off the Atlantic Coast and believe that the public should have ample opportunity to have a say in the process. I’m, pleased with the decision of the Bureau of Ocean Management to extend the public comment period, giving New Jersey residents more time to have their voices heard.”


At an April 27th Department of Interior public listening session in Atlantic City, NJ on the process leading to seismic testing, Congressman Pallone submitted a statement voicing his opposition to oil drilling off the Atlantic Coast and urged the Department to focus on U.S. energy independence through renewable sources such as wind and solar power.


“I am confident that this extended comment period will yield further information to the Department of Interior, demonstrating why it is so important that seismic testing off the Atlantic Coast not proceed,” said Pallone. “I call on the Department to increase its public outreach to potentially impacted communities and to look toward other solutions to ensure American energy independence.”

Pallone Urges Interior Department to Halt Plans to Move Forward with Offshore Oil Drilling Testing Plan

For Immediate Release:
May 9th, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Wednesday, May 09, 2012, at a hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) questioned the Department of Interior’s Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Tommy Beaudreau about the Administration’s decision to allow new seismic testing for oil exploration off the Atlantic coast.

Congressman Pallone voiced his opposition to the Administration’s decision to begin seismic testing, a first step toward a plan to drill off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean for oil. The Department of Interior announced in March that it would begin the process.

“I am totally opposed to offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast. My opposition includes any preparatory steps including seismic testing in our waters off the Atlantic Coast,” Congressman Pallone said in his opening statement. “The time and resources that the Department of Interior is allocating to seismic testing could be better used on higher priorities that will allow us to move away from dirty fuels and faster achieve U.S. energy independence through renewable sources such as wind and solar power.”

Citing the importance and environmental sensitivity of New Jersey’s coastline, which generates $38 billion per year in economic activity and supports nearly 500,000 jobs, Pallone urged the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to consider renewable alternatives and to head the lessons leaned from Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Additionally, Pallone asked Beaudreau for more information about the cost of seismic testing and urged the Bureau to allow more time for a public review comment period to let New Jersey residents have their opinions considered as the process moves forward.

“The Department of Interior must halt this process and reconsider its priorities in ensuring American energy independence,” said Pallone. “Recently, the Department of Interior held a public listening session in Atlantic City, NJ on the process leading to seismic testing. Local environmental organizations, fishermen, divers and people from all backgrounds were there to oppose this decision; I call on the Department to earnestly listen to their concerns and opposition.”

Congressman Pallone Statement to Interior Department Opposing Testing for Atlantic Offshore Drilling

For Immediate Release:

April 27, 2012

Atlantic City, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone submitted the following statement for the Department of Interior Public Hearing in Atlantic City, NJ on Programmatic Environmental Impact Study on Seismic Testing in the Atlantic Ocean:

Thank you for having this having this public hearing.  I am in Washington, DC voting today and therefore could not appear personally.  I am glad that the public has this opportunity to inform and shape how the Department of Interior proceeds on the important issue of offshore drilling. 

I am totally opposed to offshore drilling off the Atlantic Coast.  My opposition includes any preparatory steps including seismic testing in our waters off the AtlanticCoast.  The time and resources that the Department of Interior is allocating to seismic testing could be better used on higher priorities that will allow us to move away from dirty fuels and faster achieve U.S. energy independence through renewables such as wind and solar power. 

We all know how important New Jersey's beaches are, not only to residents of our state, but also for countless visitors.  Our beaches are a tremendous resource for those who come here to enjoy them, and they are a huge economic engine for our state.  They're the primary driver of a tourism economy that supports nearly 500,000 jobs and generates $38 billion in economic activities for the state each year.

Seismic testing is the first step in the direction of opening up the Atlantic coast to oil drilling.  Most drilling off the Atlantic coast would be deepwater drilling just like Deepwater Horizon.  Yet in the two years since the BP spill none of the proposals recommended by the National Commission on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling have been put in place.  There have been no improvements in worker safety regulations that will help ensure that another blow out will not cost 11 human lives.  We need increased environmental review and planning that will ensure valuable fishing grounds and other ecological assets are not destroyed in the event of an oil leak. 

The Department of Interior must halt this process and reconsider its priorities in ensuring American energy independence.  The process you are embarking on will have severe consequences on our ocean environment, beaches, marine resources, and coastal economies in the short term and long term.  Thank you for listening to my comments and I encourage you to fully consider the public’s input here today. 

Congressman Frank Pallone Decries Decision by Administration to Move Forward with Seismic Testing off the Atlantic Coast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 28, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement today, disagreeing with the Obama Administration’s decision to allow new seismic testing for oil exploration off the Atlantic coast:

Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06)

  

“I am deeply disappointed by the Administration’s announcement today that the U.S. Department of Interior will move forward with plans to conduct seismic testing off the coast of the Atlantic.  This activity is in no uncertain terms, a first step toward deep water exploration and a plan to drill for oil off the East coast.

“While we need to take advantage of available options to meet our nation’s growing energy needs, and I support drilling in currently leased areas, we cannot move in a direction that would lead to Atlantic oil drilling.  Drilling off the Atlantic coast could have dire consequences for the health of the Atlantic Ocean and so many coastal communities.

“Our nation watched with horror nearly two years ago as the BP oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico devastated the region’s waterways and aquaculture.  We must not take steps toward exposing the nation’s East coast to the potential for similar disasters.  All along the nation’s East coast, Americans rely on the health of the ocean for a variety of industries from fishing to tourism.  In New Jersey alone, tourism brought in $38 billion last year, a significant portion of which was generated from our pristine coastline.  We must not forgo the health of the Atlantic coast for a kick-back to Big Oil down the line.”