News Page Last Updated 9/2/19
H.R. 1941 To Be Introduced To House Floor Week of September 7th
In the next several days (week of September 7th), it is anticipated that House Senator Majority Leader Steny Hoyer will bring H.R. 1941 to the floor. This bill would serve to permanently protect the Atlantic from the current administrations plans to open the Atlantic to oil and gas development.
Proposed plans for offshore oil and gas development in the Atlantic has remained a constant threat to our marine resources, ecosystems, our coastal community, and the local economy for too long. With pressure from many of his constituents, MD Rep. Andy Harris has already voted to prevent offshore oil and gas development from taking place over the course of the next year. We are urging you to call Rep. Harris's office today and let him know that you would like him to vote 'Yes' for H.R. 1941 to permanently protect the Atlantic from present, or future plans for offshore oil drilling.
To learn more, and for a summary of the bill click HERE.
Contact Rep. Harris's office at (443) 944-8624 and ask him to vote 'Yes' for H.R. 1941.
Proposed plans for offshore oil and gas development in the Atlantic has remained a constant threat to our marine resources, ecosystems, our coastal community, and the local economy for too long. With pressure from many of his constituents, MD Rep. Andy Harris has already voted to prevent offshore oil and gas development from taking place over the course of the next year. We are urging you to call Rep. Harris's office today and let him know that you would like him to vote 'Yes' for H.R. 1941 to permanently protect the Atlantic from present, or future plans for offshore oil drilling.
To learn more, and for a summary of the bill click HERE.
Contact Rep. Harris's office at (443) 944-8624 and ask him to vote 'Yes' for H.R. 1941.
H.R. 1941 and 205 Fact Sheet available as a PDF below...
| fact_sheet_-_cunningham_rooney_final-1.pdf |
Two New Bills Introduced To Create Permanent Moratorium On Offshore Oil & Gas Leasing
The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, which protects the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, will expire June 30, 2022. The following bills have been introduced to make permanent the current protections in place.
- H.R bill 1941 has been introduced by Rep. Cunningham and Rep. Francis Rooney to create a permanent moratorium on offshore oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic, Straits of Florida, and the Pacific Ocean.
- H.R bill 205 has been introduced by Rep. Rooney and Rep. Kathy Castor to make permanent the current moratorium that prohibits offshore oil and gas leasing off the Florida Gulf Coast through June 30, 2022.
We're asking you to call Representative Andy Harris at 443-944-8624 and ask that he vote YES on H.R. 1941 and 205.
Rep. Harris Votes Yes For Amendments To Bill H.R. 3052
On Thursday, 6/20/19, Congressman Andy Harris voted Yes to restrict seismic air gun blasting in the Atlantic, Yes for a moratorium on Atlantic drilling, and Yes for a moratorium on Florida drilling.
The Interior-Environment Appropriations Bill H.R. 3052
ACT has recently learned that Congress will be voting on an amendment to the Interior-Environment Appropriations bill H.R. 3052. In an effort to prevent the current administration from, once again, opening the Atlantic to offshore oil development, we are encouraging members of the House of Representatives to vote YES on this amendment to ensure that our natural resources, marine ecosystem, the economy, and our communities remain protected from offshore oil and gas development operations in the Atlantic.
Please consider contacting Representative Andy Harris' office at (443) 944-8624 and let him know that you are in favor of the amendment to the appropriations bill. If you are in need of language for the phone call, please see the below document as an example:
Please consider contacting Representative Andy Harris' office at (443) 944-8624 and let him know that you are in favor of the amendment to the appropriations bill. If you are in need of language for the phone call, please see the below document as an example:
| for_hr_bill3052.pdf |
Votes for H.R. 3052 are expected to take place on Friday (6/21) or Monday (6/24). Amendments to this bill could block expanded offshore drilling and Atlantic seismic airgun blasting for the next year.
Priority amendments are as follows:
duplicative, but up for a vote anyway:
And even more urgent:
Congress used the Interior-Environment funding bill to establish offshore drilling moratoria for almost 30 years beginning in 1982. In light of President Trump's plan to expand offshore drilling to the Atlantic we are counting on Congress to reinstate these critical protections.
Priority amendments are as follows:
- an amendment to establish a one-year moratorium on offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean, from Maine to Florida. Led by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), this bipartisan amendment is cosponsored by an additional 13 members, including three Republicans. It includes a portion of the Florida coast to encourage all Florida members to vote for the amendment.
duplicative, but up for a vote anyway:
- to establish a one-year moratorium on drilling off the coast of Florida, including Florida’s Gulf coast, Atlantic Coast, and the Florida Keys. Led by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), this bipartisan amendment is cosponsored by most of the Florida delegation, including eight Republicans.
And even more urgent:
- an amendment to block seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic Ocean. Led by Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-SC), this bipartisan amendment has 17 cosponsors, including 4 Republicans.
Congress used the Interior-Environment funding bill to establish offshore drilling moratoria for almost 30 years beginning in 1982. In light of President Trump's plan to expand offshore drilling to the Atlantic we are counting on Congress to reinstate these critical protections.
Department of Interior Delays Plans For Offshore Oil Development In The Atlantic
ACT has just recently been informed by our friends at Surfrider that the current administrations plans to open the Atlantic to offshore oil development have been sidelined....at least for now. This latest news is a result of, as Surfrider Foundation's Environmental Director, Pete Stauffer stated, "coastal advocates, elected officials, businesses, communities, Native Nations and the recreation industry, which have fought tirelessly against opening up our nation's coasts to destructive offshore drilling."
Though our coast and the health of the Atlantic will be spared from the hazards that wold surely arise from offshore oil development, this delay is temporary and the Atlantic still remains threatened. We are encouraging you to continue to monitor ACT's news alerts concerning the proposed offshore oil development plan.
Though our coast and the health of the Atlantic will be spared from the hazards that wold surely arise from offshore oil development, this delay is temporary and the Atlantic still remains threatened. We are encouraging you to continue to monitor ACT's news alerts concerning the proposed offshore oil development plan.
4/26/19
BREAKING: Motion For Preliminary Injunction Filed By Organizations To Prevent Seismic Airgun Surveys In The Atlantic
ACT has just learned that a preliminary injunction was filed in a federal Charleston, SC court on February 20th in an effort to keep seismic survey exploration from taking place in the Atlantic. Numerous organizations up and down the east coast have joined a court order against the current administration, pointing to a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. This comes as result of the National Marine Fisheries Services' decision to issue 5 Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) to seismic survey companies in November, 2018. These IHAs give those seismic survey companies the green light to harm marine mammals during oil and gas explorations and is the last step before final permits are issued and oil and gas exploration begins. A press release issued by Oceana today (February, 20 2019) describes the court order and highlights that the government "failed to consider the combined effects of overlapping and simultaneous surveys" and "erroneously determined that only a 'small number' of whales and dolphins would be harmed" when the IHA's were issued. Read the full press release HERE.
We encourage you to continue to monitor this latest move, and visit Oceana's Three Things You Can Do To Stop Dangerous Seismic Airgun Blasting.
Despite Government Shutdown, BOEM Updates Contingency Plan To Continue Work On Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program and Seismic Exploration
| _boem_director_walter_cruickshank_statements.pdf |
| federal_defendants_statements.pdf |
ACT recently received the latest updates on the Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program and the seismic exploration activities associated with oil and gas development in the Atlantic. The information below was gathered from the United States District Court For The District of South Carolina Charleston Division in the case of City of Beaufort, et al., (plaintiffs) vs. the National Marine Fisheries Service, et al. (defendants) filed January 17, 2019.
Despite the current government shutdown, and a statement made on January 15th by the Department of the Interior indicating that they "would not be acting on pending permit applications for the seismic survey activity at issue in this case until funding is restored," we now know that BOEM updated their Contingency Plan on January 8th. The latest Contingency Plan "identified that certain available carryover funds could be
used for specified purposes during the lapse of appropriations, including several pending Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Program actions." Further, the updated plan now allows BOEM to call on 40 personnel to continue work on activities pertinent to the OCS program, including work necessary to review applications and issue permits for seismic exploration.
On Thursday, January 17th, BOEM Director Walter Cruickshank stated that a decision to issue final permits for seismic exploration in the Atlantic will not be made until at least March 1, 2019. Should permits be issued, a 30 day notice will be required.
used for specified purposes during the lapse of appropriations, including several pending Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) Program actions." Further, the updated plan now allows BOEM to call on 40 personnel to continue work on activities pertinent to the OCS program, including work necessary to review applications and issue permits for seismic exploration.
On Thursday, January 17th, BOEM Director Walter Cruickshank stated that a decision to issue final permits for seismic exploration in the Atlantic will not be made until at least March 1, 2019. Should permits be issued, a 30 day notice will be required.
The proposed oil and gas leasing program is also at a stand still due to the government shutdown. Once the shutdown ends, and the leasing program is finalized, a 90 day public comment period will open. This will signal our last opportunity to voice opposition to oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic. Be ready!
Last updated: 12/21/18
In a letter sent to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on December 20th, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Delaware Governor John Carney joined a growing list of those urging the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Commerce to 1. deny permits that would allow seismic airgun testing in the Atlantic 2. exclude the east coast from the 2019-2024 proposed program that would open areas of the Atlantic to oil development, 3. stop issuing Incidental Harassment Authorizations to seismic survey companies, and 4. prevent future drilling operation from occurring in the Atlantic. To see the letter view the pdf document below:
| east-coast-governors-letter-to-sec-ross-sec-zinke-20181220.pdf |
The statements below come from Delaware Governor John Carney...
"Drilling in the Atlantic would pose significant threats to Delaware’s natural resources and our economy."
"There’s too much at risk for Delaware and the Atlantic Seaboard to allow this to go unchallenged.”
The statements below come from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan...
"We have made incredible progress in improving our air and water quality standards, and we are not going to let misguided policies from the federal government jeopardize our hard work. Maryland will continue to fight against this sort of federal government overreach that threatens our natural resources and coastal communities.”
"Drilling in the Atlantic would pose significant threats to Delaware’s natural resources and our economy."
"There’s too much at risk for Delaware and the Atlantic Seaboard to allow this to go unchallenged.”
The statements below come from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan...
"We have made incredible progress in improving our air and water quality standards, and we are not going to let misguided policies from the federal government jeopardize our hard work. Maryland will continue to fight against this sort of federal government overreach that threatens our natural resources and coastal communities.”
Click HERE to tell the Dept. Of Interior: No Drilling Off Delaware's Coast
Last Update: 12/19/18
The National Marine Fisheries Service issuance of 5 Incidental Harassment Authorizations on November 20, 2018 is the first step of two before seismic surveying begins in the Atlantic. The next step in the process is for BOEM to issue final permits, which is anticipated to take place before or shortly after the first of the year. The seismic surveying opposition is now, primarily, taking place in the courts, so ACT is encouraging coastal communities to pressure congress and governors to voice opposition toward seismic operations in the Atlantic.
We are also expecting the release of the proposed 5 year program before or shortly after the first of the year. The exact areas of the Atlantic included in the program are not known at this time. Once the program is released, BOEM will hold a 90 day public comment period , similar to past comment periods. Oceana, and other organizations are organizing to hold opposition events at the public comment events. Stay tuned as we will continue to keep you updated on the latest oil and gas exploration and development proposals.
We are also expecting the release of the proposed 5 year program before or shortly after the first of the year. The exact areas of the Atlantic included in the program are not known at this time. Once the program is released, BOEM will hold a 90 day public comment period , similar to past comment periods. Oceana, and other organizations are organizing to hold opposition events at the public comment events. Stay tuned as we will continue to keep you updated on the latest oil and gas exploration and development proposals.
Last update: 12/10/18
On Thursday, December 6th, a bipartisan letter, sent by Representative Rutherford to Secretary Ryan Zinke and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross opposing seismic airgun surveys in the Atlantic was signed by 93 representatives, including Rep. Rochester. Attached below is a pdf copy of the letter.
| zinke_ross_-_atlantic_seismic_testing_-_iha_issuance_dec_2018_final_signed.pdf |
Last update: 12/5/18
In response to the recent Incidental Harassment Authorization's (IHA's) granted to seismic survey companies by the current administration (see details below), we are asking community members to please call Rep. Rochester's office and ask her to sign a letter being circulated in the House opposing seismic airgun surveys in the Atlantic. There is a bi-partisan letter being circulated on the Hill expressing opposition to the recent IHA decision. Rep. Rochester has not signed yet. We urge you to call her office and ask her to sign the letter. Below is a sample script which can be used when you contact her office. Please be sure to voice your opposition no later than Thursday, December 6th.
Her office may be reached at
(202) 225-4165
Her office may be reached at
(202) 225-4165
ACT is also encouraging folks to contact Andy Harris's office on this matter. His office may be reached at
202-225-5311 - DC office
443-944-8624 - Salisbury office
202-225-5311 - DC office
443-944-8624 - Salisbury office
Read the bi-partisan letter in pdf document available below
| letter_to_secs._zinke_and_ross-_oppose_seismic_airgun_blasting_in_the_atlantic.pdf |
Please feel free to use the sample script below when you make your call...
Hi, my name is ___________. I am calling to express concern about seismic airgun surveys for oil and gas off Delaware’s cost. I want to encourage Congresswomen Rochester to sign a letter opposing seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic which Reps. Rutherford (D-FL) and Beyer (D-VA) have taken the lead in organizing and are circulating. The letter will be sent to Secretaries Ross and Zinke. The deadline for signing on is THURSDAY, DEC. 6. Please contact Reps. Rutherford's (D-FL) or Beyer's (D-VA) office and sign the letter.
Wondering if there is anything else you can do to help keep oil and gas exploration and development out of the Atlantic? Check out Oceana's list of additional action items HERE.
Last updated: 12/3/18
Fed's Issue IHA's For Seismic Surveying In The Atlantic
On November 30th, the National Marine Fisheries Service, a branch of NOAA, granted Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHA's) for seismic surveying companies to begin exploring for oil and gas deposits off the Atlantic coast. Essentially, these IHA's give seismic surveyors the green light to harm marine mammals during oil and gas explorations. Despite continued opposition to seismic blasting surveys by more than 90 percent of coastal communities within proposed survey regions, it is likely that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will now issue final permits, signaling the initiation of seismic blasting up and down the Atlantic coast.
The area proposed for exploration spans from Cape May, New Jersey south to Cape Canaveral, Florida and posses a significant threat to right whales, dolphins, fish, and zooplankton. This kind of danger to the marine food web would significantly impact not just marine life, but the economies on which east coast communities depend.
This move to begin oil and gas exploration is the first step toward oil drilling off the Atlantic coast. Oceana, which has remained vigilant in the fight to keep oil and gas development out of the Atlantic, estimates in their latest analysis that offshore oil drilling activities threaten 1.5 million jobs and $108 billion in GDP.
In a BOEM report released on January 6, 2017, BOEM "announced the denial of six pending geophysical and geological (G&G) permit applications to conduct airgun seismic surveys in the Mid- and South Atlantic Planning Areas of the Atlantic Ocean. The decision is based on a number of factors, including a diminished need for additional seismic survey information because the Atlantic Program Area has been removed from the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program."
In that same report, BOEM Director Abigail Ross Hopper stated "in the present circumstances and guided by an abundance of caution, we believe that the value of obtaining the geophysical and geological information from new airgun seismic surveys in the Atlantic does not outweigh the potential risks of those surveys’ acoustic pulse impacts on marine life."
For what is believed to be less than a year supply of oil and gas in the proposed seismic surveying area, the threat to our ocean and livelihood far outweighs any benefit that this kind of oil and gas exploration would create.
The area proposed for exploration spans from Cape May, New Jersey south to Cape Canaveral, Florida and posses a significant threat to right whales, dolphins, fish, and zooplankton. This kind of danger to the marine food web would significantly impact not just marine life, but the economies on which east coast communities depend.
This move to begin oil and gas exploration is the first step toward oil drilling off the Atlantic coast. Oceana, which has remained vigilant in the fight to keep oil and gas development out of the Atlantic, estimates in their latest analysis that offshore oil drilling activities threaten 1.5 million jobs and $108 billion in GDP.
In a BOEM report released on January 6, 2017, BOEM "announced the denial of six pending geophysical and geological (G&G) permit applications to conduct airgun seismic surveys in the Mid- and South Atlantic Planning Areas of the Atlantic Ocean. The decision is based on a number of factors, including a diminished need for additional seismic survey information because the Atlantic Program Area has been removed from the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program."
In that same report, BOEM Director Abigail Ross Hopper stated "in the present circumstances and guided by an abundance of caution, we believe that the value of obtaining the geophysical and geological information from new airgun seismic surveys in the Atlantic does not outweigh the potential risks of those surveys’ acoustic pulse impacts on marine life."
For what is believed to be less than a year supply of oil and gas in the proposed seismic surveying area, the threat to our ocean and livelihood far outweighs any benefit that this kind of oil and gas exploration would create.
To view the full November 30 press release by Oceana, click HERE.
Oceana's facts and dangers of seismic blasting in marine waters are available HERE.
Interactive "We're Watching" map released by Oceana enables users to locate vessels associated with offshore exploration. The map is available at Oceana.org/SeismicWatch.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
BREAKING NEWS
Trump Administration Proposes To Open 98% of U.S. Waters to Offshore Drilling, including the Mid-Atlantic!
The Trump Administration is set to release the Draft Proposed Program of the 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program on Monday, January 8th. The Department of Interior previewed the plan at a press conference on Thursday, January 4th. The plan proposes to open nearly the entirety of the country's offshore regions to oil and gas development.
Locally, the entire Atlantic from Maine to Miami is being considered in the plan, which would allow drilling as close as 3 miles to our coast.
ACT will be reviewing the plan upon its release on Monday, January 8th and posting more information as it becomes available. Please stay tuned for details.
The Trump Administration is set to release the Draft Proposed Program of the 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program on Monday, January 8th. The Department of Interior previewed the plan at a press conference on Thursday, January 4th. The plan proposes to open nearly the entirety of the country's offshore regions to oil and gas development.
Locally, the entire Atlantic from Maine to Miami is being considered in the plan, which would allow drilling as close as 3 miles to our coast.
ACT will be reviewing the plan upon its release on Monday, January 8th and posting more information as it becomes available. Please stay tuned for details.
If you would like to stay up to date with news and action items regarding offshore drilling, please sign up for our e-newsletter by filling out the form below.
