April 19, 2019
Georgia Offshore Drilling Opposition Growing Even Louder
It has been a big month for opposing drilling. On April 2, 2019, the Georgia House of Representatives passed Resolution 48 opposing offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting off Georgia’s coast by an overwhelming margin of 125 to 36. And, to make great news even better, Representative Buddy Carter – a long-time drilling supporter – updated his position and came out in opposition to drilling off Georgia’s coast.
Congressman Carter officially weighed-in with the Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, that Georgia be excluded from offshore drilling plans. Congressman Buddy Carter stands with his constituents in the letter, explaining that he “was elected to represent the entire coast of our state and to be their voice in Washington.”
Oceana applauds Congressman Carter for representing the will of the people by opposing offshore drilling. Communities along the coast couldn’t be clearer that there’s no room for offshore drilling or exploration one inch closer to their shores. Oceana and our allies have worked tirelessly to ensure Georgians understand how to make their views known to their elected officials. As a result of education and outreach by Oceana and our allies throughout the state, 15 Georgia municipalities have passed formal resolutions against offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting.
We are proud to have Georgia’s Governor, Brian Kemp, as a leader in the fight to protect our coast, too. In fact, every East Coast governor opposes the administration’s proposal to open their coasts to offshore drilling.
The opposition rings far and wide in Georgia because the state has so much to lose if drilling or exploration become a reality in the Atlantic. With healthy waters and clean beaches, Georgia boasts strong tourism, fishing and recreation industries that support more than 23,000 jobs and generate more than $1.3 billion in GDP annually for the state. Pristine beaches and charming seaside towns draw visitors year after year. Right now, business is good in coastal Georgia – and that business doesn’t include drilling, spilling or rigs on the horizon.
As President Trump and Secretary Bernhardt consider whether or not to include the Atlantic Ocean in their next version of the offshore drilling plan, Georgia remains steadfast against reckless drilling. Georgia’s coast is not for sale and it’s time for President Trump to bring his drilling plan in line with the will of the people.