WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US state of New Jersey residents should attend a public meeting to express their concerns about opening up the Atlantic Coast region for offshore oil drilling, New Jersey lawmakers urged their constituents in a statement.
“Off shore drilling in the Atlantic is of great concern to me, but I’m pleased that the Administration has heeded our call to give New Jersey residents the opportunity to voice their concerns,” New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker said in the statement on Thursday.
“I’m hopeful that citizens from across New Jersey will attend and voice their opposition based on the potential negative impacts this proposal could have on New Jersey,” Booker added.
Obama’s plan includes drilling platforms and pipelines to be built in areas off the shores of Virginia, Georgia and North and South Carolina. Additionally, other potential offshore lease sales would be expanded in areas including the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Interior Department’s proposal.
Although the Obama administration says the oil drilling plan would support economic growth, job creation, clean energy and energy security, many environmentalists and US East Coast lawmakers disagree.
“Oil drilling in the Atlantic would put New Jersey’s shore communities and our state’s economy at significant risk,” US Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey said in the statement on Thursday.
“I have made clear to the Administration that I believe the Atlantic Coast should be off limits to oil and gas drilling because the consequences to our environment and our economy of a spill would be devastating,” US Senator Bob Menendez said in the statement.
Before the Obama administration’s offshore oil drilling plan is finalized, the US public will be able to provide comments and input on it, according to the Interior Department.
