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I just heard reports that the Trump Adminstration was halting its plans to expand offshore drilling in the Atlantic. How did we get here and what does this mean? In January of 2018, the Interior Dept announced its intention to open up the Atlantic and Pacific to offshore drilling
The reaction from the Lowcountry and coastal communities across the country was immediate. While running for office, I promised I would say hell no to offshore drilling. My opponent... not so much.
On my 4th day in office, I introduced a bill that would place a ten-year ban on oil and gas leasing. Last month, I introduced a bill that would permanently ban oil and gas drilling on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts - both with bipartisan support.
We made it clear that opposition to offshore drilling was NOT a partisan issue. We all know that our coastlines are too valuable to our economy, environment, and way of life to jeopardize because when you drill, you spill. And even a small oil spill would devastate our community.
Last month, the courts got involved as well. A federal judge ruled that Trump did not have the authority to overturn a ban on offshore drilling in the Arctic and parts of the Atlantic.
And NOW, Interior Secretary Bernhardt announced that - in part because of the ongoing litigation and clear opposition by elected officials - the Administration was indefinitely postponing their plans to expand offshore oil and gas drilling. This is great news!
Every single person who played a role in the fight against offshore drilling deserves a round of applause. But this fight is by no means over. We need legislation to permanently protect our coastal communities from the threat of offshore drilling. Congress must pass my bill.
