NJ Senators Help Block Yet Another Proposal That Could Lead To Drilling Near Jersey Shore

Second time this week that offshore drilling proponents have attempted to lift moratorium on the East and West Coasts

May 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Last night, New Jersey’s Senators helped defeat the second attempt in the U.S. Senate this week – and the fourth attempt in the past year – to potentially open up drilling near the Jersey Shore. U.S Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) helped lead the opposition to the attempt to lift the moratorium on the Outer Continental Shelf, which could lead to drilling less than 100 miles from New Jersey.

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Senator Menendez said: “Clearly, those who are beholden to the oil companies do not want to end our addiction to oil, but just want to tap a new vein. We cannot drill our way to energy security, and we will stand up each and every time to protect our state’s environment and economy. The Jersey Shore will not become a victim to oil spills on our watch. The way to lower energy costs and combat global warming is not through drilling ourselves into a deeper hole, but through more energy efficiency and the development of sustainable alternative sources.”

“The last thing New Jersey needs is drilling off our coast, which poses a direct threat to our environment and our economy. We need to address our long-term energy needs by investing in new, alternative fuels, not by looking for more places for oil companies to drill. I will keep fighting to prevent drilling on our coastline,” Senator Lautenberg said.

This latest attempt to allow the drilling came in the form of a Republican motion to instruct conferees negotiating the Budget Resolution to lift the moratorium. It was defeated by a 44-51 vote.

Source: Senator Robert Menendez