MAKE AN URGENT CALL RIGHT NOW
TO SAVE NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK'S COAST FROM
OFFSHORE OIL ANG GAS DRILLING,
YES, AGAIN

New Jersey, New York, and the nation's entire coastlines are once again threatened by a bill that will be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives this Thursday, June 29. Some members of Congress are hoping we will be tired of fighting this battle. Show them this is NOT SO.

The dangerous provisions contained in bill HR-4761 would revoke the Congressional and Presidential ban on oil and gas leasing upon enactment. As a result, offshore oil and gas leasing could begin immediately unless a state objects.

The bill sets out a tiered approach, as follows:

* Within 50-miles of a coastline, there would be no oil and gas leasing unless a state "opts-in"--meaning a state could say yes to drilling. This will pit state against state in drilling decisions. For example, Virginia is considering "opting-in" which could put rigs within polluting range of all New Jersey and Long Island, NY beaches.
* Between 50-100 miles offshore, there will be oil and gas leasing, unless a state "opts-out"-meaning take numerous steps to prohibit drilling activities. If they are to "opt-out", a state must do so quickly. Upon enactment of the bill, states would have only one year to block natural gas drilling and three years to block oil drilling. States are forced to take action every five years to oppose drilling 50-100 miles from shore. Moreover, drilling from these areas would be able to reach into the "50 mile prohibited area" by use of extension drilling.
* Beyond 100 miles offshore, oil and gas leasing will occur immediately without any chance to object.

The bill also:

* Provides a financial incentive for states that allow drilling activity off their coasts, in turn, costing the federal treasury billions of dollars of which it had previously been entitled.
* Preempts state jurisdiction over ocean pipelines in state waters.

TAKE ACTION:

False Promises-Bad Policy
It is well documented that offshore drilling in the Mid-Atlantic region is extremely expensive and federal estimates show that there is only a few months of gas, and only weeks of oil to supply the nation. The efforts to drill in sensitive areas rip our coastal communities apart and are founded on fear, and are a deceptive policy. Drilling in our ocean will not lower prices at the pump.

The Risks are Real
Pollution from exploration and drilling activities would threaten natural resources, tourism & recreation, commercial and recreational fishing industries, and citizens' enjoyment of the sea and quality of life. The ocean knows no boundaries and drilling in waters to the south of New York and New Jersey will follow the Gulf Stream and pollute our waters.

The amount of time and effort spent attacking our ocean for oil and gas must be directed to responsible, accountable, and real energy policy, not stuffing the pockets of the rich oil and gas industry.

It is beyond the time for Congress to stop pursuing the destructive energy policies of the past and move forward into a cheaper, smarter, and cleaner energy future.
***Call your representative today (see contact information below) and tell him/her: ***
"It is essential to maintain the longstanding Congressional and Presidential moratorium
on offshore drilling. Take any and all steps to stop efforts
to open protected areas of our ocean to drilling."

Calls can be made to Representatives' offices into the evening. It is helpful to leave a message at Representatives' offices, if necessary.

The approval of offshore drilling proves that the U.S. government is not willing to go forward with bold new technologies to solve global warming issues and foreign dependence on petroleum.

If after the Wright Brothers invention of the airplane had the U.S. acted the way with aerounautic technology the way they are acting towards energy technologies we would still be flying in bi planes.