Magaziner & Whitehouse Introduce Bipartisan New England Offshore Drilling Ban
Bill would protect ocean and coastal resources responsible for over $17.5 billion annually in the region
Washington, DC – On Earth Day, Congressman Seth Magaziner (D-RI) and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are leading bipartisan group of New England members of Congress in announcing the introduction of legislation to bar offshore drilling along the New England coast. The New England Coastal Protection Act is cosponsored by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). In the House, the legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Gabe Amo, Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Jared Golden (D-ME), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), Bill Keating (D-MA), John Larson (D-CT), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Richard Neal (D-MA), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).
“Rhode Islanders take pride in being the Ocean State, and in our clean waterways that support good jobs and quality of life,” said Magaziner. “The New England Coastal Protection Act will help safeguard our environment by preventing new offshore drilling that would threaten the coastline that is so essential to our state.”
“Offshore drilling would enrich the fossil fuel industry at the expense of the Ocean State’s coastal economy and the health of our Narragansett Bay,” said Whitehouse, who originally introduced the legislation during the first Trump administration. “With President Trump scrambling to grant the looters and polluters swarming around his administration every item on their wish list, I’m committed to doing everything in my power to stop reckless oil and gas drilling off Rhode Island’s coast.”
“Offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean poses tremendous risks for the Ocean State’s environment and economy. This legislation is about protecting critical natural resources and the livelihoods of New Englanders in countless industries who rely on a clean, healthy Atlantic Ocean,” said Reed.
“Offshore drilling has no place in the Atlantic Ocean — thanks to the New England Coastal Protection Act, it won’t,” said Amo, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Environment. “On Earth Day, I am thankful to partner with Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Magaziner to generate bipartisan momentum to protect our ocean from the harms of offshore drilling.”
According to NOAA Fisheries, ocean and coastal industries, including tourism, fishing, and recreation, generate more than $17.5 billion in New England annually. Expanding drilling in the Atlantic would harm New England’s key industries, and significantly increase the chance of environmental disaster in the region.
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