World Oceans Day in USA get new bills to protect Pacific, Arctic oceans from offshore drilling
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To mark World Oceans Day, Congressmen Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Mike Levin (D- San Juan Capistrano) announced they will introduce a package of legislation to permanently protect the West Coast and Arctic Ocean from the dangers of fossil fuel drilling.
What Supporters Are Saying:
“Protecting our coasts from the disastrous impacts of offshore drilling remains a vital step toward solving the climate crisis and protecting millions of U.S. jobs that rely on a clean coast economy,” said Mike Messmer, acting campaign director at Oceana. “Oceana applauds Congressman Huffman and Congressman Levin for introducing this legislation to protect our coastal communities from dirty and dangerous offshore drilling. From toxic oil spills that cause economic and ecological devastation, to the acceleration of the climate crisis facing our world today, we simply cannot afford more drilling for oil and gas. The solution is clear: we must prevent new offshore drilling and invest in clean, renewable energy sources to create a viable clean energy future.”
“This important legislation will protect our environment, economy, climate and way of life from the harmful effects of offshore oil and gas development. The Surfrider Foundation urges members of congress to support these and other bills to permanently prohibit new offshore drilling in U.S. waters,” said Pete Stauffer, Ocean Protection Manager, Surfrider Foundation.
“The Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast (BAPPC) is a proud supporter of the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act. Our membership in California, Oregon, and Washington represents more than 8,100 business voices who believe offshore oil & gas development is bad for business, and that it poses an unacceptable risk to our livelihoods, employees, communities, and environment,” said Grant Bixby, Founding Member, Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast.
“California’s vibrant coastal economy relies on clean beaches and a healthy ocean. The Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act safeguards against offshore drilling’s consequences, such as oil spills and worsening climate impacts which all pose significant risks to coastal communities and small businesses. It is imperative to implement permanent protections and we extend our gratitude to Rep. Levin for leading the charge and safeguarding our precious coast,” said Vipe Desai, Executive Director, Surf Industry Members Association.
“Congressman Jared Huffman and Congressman Mike Levin know that we must invest in a just transition away from fossil fuels for our communities, for our ocean, and for our planet. Their legislation to stop new leasing in the Arctic, the North Pacific, and the Southern California Coast is a step in the right direction to ensuring that the ocean is leveraged as a source of climate solutions instead of harmful emissions. We are grateful for their ocean climate leadership and for their efforts to protect some of our most pristine ocean ecosystems,” said Jean Flemma, Ocean Defense Initiative.
“In a climate emergency, we simply cannot afford to hand over our coastal waters to polluters for new drilling. We won’t risk local economies wildlife and habitat for dangerous and dirty fossil fuel extraction. These bills would make significant strides in protecting the West Coast, the Arctic, coastal communities, and fragile ecosystems,” said Valerie Cleland, senior oceans advocate for the Nature program at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
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