Commentary, Environmental

Earthjustice Responds to Trump Administration Move to Expand Drilling Off America’s Coasts

Decision threatens coastal communities, marine life, and the climate

offshore drilling
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Anchorage, AK —(ENEWSPF)–June 30, 2017. The Department of Interior has announced it will take the first step on Monday toward opening more of our ocean waters to dangerous offshore drilling. Interior will kick off the process of undoing protections put in place for the Arctic and Atlantic oceans under the five-year offshore drilling plan, which defines where and when the government may offer drilling leases in the nation’s ocean waters. The Obama administration finalized the plan last year after a multi-year process that incorporated feedback from millions of people across America. The plan put the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans off-limits to drilling leases through 2022.In response, Erik Grafe, Staff Attorney in Earthjustice’s Alaska office, stated:

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“People across the country have made it clear that they oppose expanded offshore drilling in places like the Arctic and Atlantic. The current leasing plan, which was completed after millions of people weighed in, leaves those places off limits to expanded drilling. There is absolutely no good reason for the Trump administration to abandon this plan and replace it with something that will jeopardize our oceans for generations to come. We will work hard to resist this attempt to sacrifice the health of our coastal communities, wildlife, and climate, all for the benefit of the oil industry.”

About Earthjustice

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Source: http://earthjustice.org

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