CT Congressional Delegation Opposes Trump's Offshore Drilling Plan

U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and U.S. Reps. John Larson (CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Jim Himes (CT-4), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) wrote Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on Wednesday, Feb. 21, expressing opposition to the proposed expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling that could devastate Connecticut’s economy and environment.

An offshore oil rig.
Photo Credit: *NPR.org*

Jon Craig

02/26/2018 6:00 a.m.

Zinke announced in January that the Trump Administration would expand offshore oil and gas leasing to encompass about 90 percent of the United States’ coastal waters.

The congressional letter was submitted as part of the Department of the Interior’s public comment period, which remains open through March 9.

“Opening waters off the coast of Connecticut to drilling puts jobs, coastal communities, and our environment at risk, and is antithetical to Connecticut’s efforts to transition to a sustainable, clean energy future,” wrote the congressional delegation. “The Atlantic Ocean is a precious public resource that is critical to Connecticut’s well-being and should belong to every American, rather than special interests. As such, we urge you to remove the Atlantic region from the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024.”

The delegation’s full letter to Zinke is available for download online by clicking here and is attached below:

See Attachment

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