Bill Text: NJ AR80 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges federal government to ban offshore drilling for oil and natural gas off NJ's coast.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-05-13 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [AR80 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR80-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DAVID P. RIBLE
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblywoman MARY PAT ANGELINI
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Urges federal government to ban offshore drilling for oil and natural gas off NJ's coast.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the President and Congress to ban offshore drilling for oil and natural gas off the coast of New Jersey.
Whereas, New Jersey has a 127-mile coastline of beautiful beaches which the residents of the State have long prized as one of the State's greatest natural resources and which they have sought to protect and preserve by investing millions of dollars through the State's Shore Protection Fund, and by supporting the regulation of development along the coastline through the "Coastal Area Facility Review Act" as well as countless measures to improve water quality and reduce pollution in State coastal waters; and
Whereas, On March 31, 2010, President Barack Obama proposed revising the country's more than quarter of a century energy and oil policy to authorize drilling for oil and natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which includes off the east coast in the Atlantic Ocean; and
Whereas, President George H. W. Bush, in June 1990, directed the United States Department of the Interior to ban offshore oil drilling in certain areas, including the OCS, through 2000, and this order was subsequently reauthorized in June 1998 by President Clinton to extend the ban through June 30, 2012; however, in January 2009, President George W. Bush proposed a five-year plan for leasing lands for oil and gas development in the OCS; and
Whereas, New Jersey's close proximity to many other eastern coastal states, and the ability of strong water currents in the Atlantic Ocean to travel great distances, make offshore drilling for oil or natural gas in any waters along the east coast a crucial issue which affects the entire eastern seaboard, and states would be negatively impacted by just one state choosing to begin drilling activities; and
Whereas, Many of the State's natural treasures, resources, and industries would be seriously jeopardized, if not destroyed or devastated, by contamination from oil spills or accidents involving the drilling for, transportation of, and development of oil and natural gas reserves off the State's coast; and
WHEREAS, The fishing, shellfishing, and tourism industries in New Jersey contribute many millions of dollars annually to the State economy and are priceless contributors to the quality of life and enjoyment of shore communities for residents and visitors alike; and
Whereas, This State and many other states in the nation are pursuing and developing alternative forms of energy, including solar, wind, biomass, and other renewable energy technologies, thus strengthening the country's energy independence and supporting clean and renewable energy sources; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper and in the public interest of this State for this House to oppose drilling for oil and natural gas off the coast of New Jersey, and to urge the President and Congress to ban offshore drilling for oil and natural gas off of New Jersey's coast; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House opposes actions by the federal government to expand offshore drilling for oil and natural gas and opposes any efforts that would result in allowing oil and natural gas drilling off or near the coast of New Jersey.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, the Secretary of the United States Department of Energy, the Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce, the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of the United States Congress elected from the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the federal government to ban offshore drilling for oil and natural gas off New Jersey's coast.
On March 31, 2010, President Barack Obama proposed revising the country's more than quarter of a century energy and oil policy to authorize drilling for oil or natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which includes off the east coast in the Atlantic Ocean. New Jersey's close proximity to many other east coastal states, and the ability of strong water currents in the Atlantic Ocean to travel great distances, make offshore drilling for oil or natural gas in any waters along the east coast a crucial issue which affects the entire eastern seaboard, and states would be negatively impacted by just one state choosing to begin drilling activities. Many of the State's natural treasures, resources, and industries would be seriously jeopardized, if not destroyed or devastated, by contamination from oil spills or accidents involving the drilling for, transportation of, and development of oil and natural gas reserves off the State's coast.
