Bipartisan Rally Against Offshore Drilling In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — At a time when the nation is deeply divided over political issues and against the backdrop of one of the Earth’s most powerful natural resources, a bipartisan group of officials came together to encourage the public to speak out against offshore drilling.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has proposed opening up the Atlantic Coast for offshore drilling, oil and gas exploration. The plan extends out 50 miles along the coastline. Under the plan for the 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, areas off the coast of the Jersey Shore would be auctioned off to companies so they can drill in those areas. Details can be found at regulations.gov.

The public comment period closes on March 9, and a group of bipartisan officials gathered outside the Ocean City Music Pier — against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the Ocean City beach — to voice their opposition and encourage the public to do the same.

The site was chosen as a reminder of what’s at stake in the event of a spill, if offshore drilling were ever approved, Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said.

“The ocean is an asset to anyone who owns property and runs a business,” Gillian said during the press conference. “I hope we can all work together on this.”

Ocean City Councilmen Bob Barr and Michael DeVlieger were also in attendance, as were members of Clean Ocean Action, Jersey Shore Partnership, South Jersey Shoreriders and the New Jersey League of Conservative Voters.

The group also consisted of both Republicans and Democrats, including Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2); State Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1); Assemblymen Bob Andrzejczak and Bruce Land (D-1); Assemblymen John Armato and Vincent Mazzeo (D-2); Atlantic City Mayor Frank Gilliam, a Democrat; and Cape May County Freeholder Director Jerry Thornton and Freeholder Jeff Pierson. State Sen. Chris Brown (R-2) wasn’t in attendance, but also voiced his opposition to the proposal.

“Our natural resources should be cherished,” Gilliam said. “We don’t want this drilling and we will continue to be part of this fight to protect our shores and our future.”

They argued the issue isn’t just an environmental one, but also a financial one, as fishing is a $7.9 billion industry along the Jersey Shore. It is ranked fourth in the country and second on the east coast.

“I talk to my colleagues in Washington and they ask why should we care about if your constituents can get a suntan. This is not about a suntan, this is about jobs and the economy,” LoBiondo said. “Why should we gamble with something like this?”

Half of the state’s tourism income comes from the beaches each year, Jersey Shore Partnership’s Margo Walsh argued. They also voiced concerns that an oil spill anywhere along the coast would end up on the Jersey Shore’s beaches, and said it’s not a matter of “if,” but “when” there is a spill.

Last month, Cape May County Freeholders passed a resolution that opposes any type of offshore drilling and gas activity, according to nj.com. LoBiondo has requested a public hearing on the issue be held in Cape May County, according to the Ocean City Sentinel.

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and former Republican Gov. Chris Christie have opposed the plan, as have State Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, both Democrats. Bill Stuempfig, of South Jersey Shoreriders, said he lobbied in Washington, D.C. last week, and all of New Jersey’s Congressmen have voice opposition to drilling off the coast.

Comments can be sent to:
Ms. Kelly Hammerie, Chief, National Oil and Gas Leasing Program, Development and Coordination Branch, Leasing Division, Office of Strategic Resources, BOEM (VAMLD)
45600 Woodland Rd., Mailstop VAM-LD, Sterling, Va. 20166.
Telephone: (703) 787-1613.

They can also be submitted online at http://www.regulations.gov. Under the search tab, in the space provided, type in Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0074 to submit comments and to view other comments already submitted.

Attached image: Rep. Frank LoBiondo speaks during a press conference about offshore drilling in Ocean City on Monday. Photo credit: Anthony Bellano