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Oil and Climate Legislation Don’t Mix

Despite the oil industry’s claims that new technology is clean and safe, spills happen. On August 21, 2009, the West Atlas oil rig (built in 2007) began leaking oil at an estimated rate of 400 barrels per day, amounting to almost 20,000 barrels spilled to date. Big Oil’s new technology is now responsible for Australia’s third largest oil spill, and it’s getting worse.

This is not a scene we want to repeat on America’s coasts. Yet some in Congress are poised to use the climate bill as a means to expand drilling on the West Coast of Florida, in areas that were previously set aside for protection. News reports are saying that they want a trade – more drilling in exchange for a climate change bill.

So as the Senate pieces together its climate legislation, we ocean supporters need to raise our voices to ensure that new expanded offshore drilling is not part of the package. The Senate energy bill has already put Florida’s Gulf coast on the chopping block. Our oceans and coasts should not be sacrificed for a climate change agreement. Tell your Senators that our oceans must not be compromised, especially not in a bill intended to address the climate change problem.

September 05, 2010

Subject:

Dear Senator,

I am writing today to urge you to protect our oceans and coasts from offshore oil drilling.  For more than 25 years, the United States has protected our coasts by keeping much of our offshore waters out of the hands of the oil companies.  Last year, these protections were unfortunately allowed to lapse.  Now it is up to Congress to ensure that our vital marine resources are managed responsibly and that no new areas are opened to offshore drilling.

The threat to our ocean, coasts and wildlife is too great to allow more oil drilling in our oceans.  Additionally, in the face of climate change, more drilling makes even less sense. Producing and burning more oil produces more carbon dioxide which fuels ocean acidification.  Not only are our coasts and oceans home to fish and marine wildlife, but they also generate jobs in a variety of sectors such as fishing and tourism.

Energy and climate legislation is intended to decrease pollution in our air, and should not pollute our oceans in the process.  The Senate energy bill has already put the eastern Gulf of Mexico on the table despite a 2006 agreement to protect that area until 2022.  Please keep new offshore drilling language out of the final bill.  I strongly urge you not support any legislation that threatens our coasts with expanded offshore drilling.

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