Since Donald Trump has decided to ignore the concerns of residents and stakeholders directly impacted by seismic blasting and offshore drilling, it is time for Congress to step in and put a stop to this by passing my bill, the Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act. 1/
Seismic blasting poses a major threat to marine life, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, which is on the verge of extinction.
The potential for harm to marine life from blasting and drilling also poses a serious danger to the coastal economies. 2/
The potential for harm to marine life from blasting and drilling also poses a serious danger to the coastal economies. 2/
These are just some of the reasons why coastal states, communities, small businesses, political leaders from both parties, and the United States Navy all stand united in opposition to drilling, seismic blasting, and invasive petroleum exploration in the Atlantic Ocean. 3/
Even in a time of economic hardship the risks posed by Trump's actions would outweigh the benefits.
There is absolutely no justification for intentionally welcoming this kind of damage at a time when oil prices are low and fossil fuel corporations are posting record profits. 4/
There is absolutely no justification for intentionally welcoming this kind of damage at a time when oil prices are low and fossil fuel corporations are posting record profits. 4/
A week ago the National Climate Assessment made it clear that climate change is killing Americans and costing billions of dollars.
Trump and his Cabinet have spent the week engaging in willful ignorance of scientific findings, and now they are pushing more dirty energy. 5/
Trump and his Cabinet have spent the week engaging in willful ignorance of scientific findings, and now they are pushing more dirty energy. 5/
The Trump Administration also quietly tried to bury findings by the US Geological Survey showing exploitation of federal lands, including offshore drilling, made up nearly 1/4 of all US greenhouse gas emissions from 2005-2014.
This is a big deal. 6/ pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2018/5131/…
This is a big deal. 6/ pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2018/5131/…
The Trump Administration knows that climate change is killing people and costing huge amounts of money. But with this step today, as with their decision to roll back the Clean Power Plan and other efforts to fight climate change, they are instead actively making it worse. 7/
It is important that the incoming Democratic majority take steps to address climate change by crafting legislation. That's something I've worked on for years.
But we also have to step up oversight and use our majority to fight Trump's backwards steps that put lives at risk. 8/
But we also have to step up oversight and use our majority to fight Trump's backwards steps that put lives at risk. 8/
The Atlantic Seismic Airgun Protection Act would stop these blasting permits in the Atlantic. This bill is ready to go, and it has wide bipartisan support from Members representing nearly every Atlantic seaboard state.
We should pass it ASAP. 9/9
We should pass it ASAP. 9/9
