Following the theme of sacrificing the public’s favorite natural areas for the benefit of oil and gas companies, the Trump administration has announced plans to expand offshore drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Arctic Ocean. This drastic proposal opens over 90% of the Outer Continental Shelf to new drilling and puts our nation’s coastal communities, beaches, surf breaks, and marine ecosystems at risk of a catastrophic oil spill.
Sign this action alert to tell federal representatives to oppose the plan to expand offshore drilling.
The Proposed Offshore Oil & Gas Leasing Program for 2019 - 2024 would open thousands of miles of U.S. coastline to oil drilling, including regions such as the Atlantic and Pacific that have been protected for decades from this dangerous practice. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has opened a 60-day comment period for citizens to provide feedback on the proposal, and the agency is also planning public hearings in affected communities in the coming weeks.
PROPOSED DRILLING AREAS
In response to the news, Surfrider Foundation’s CEO Chad Nelsen issued the following statement:
“Our ocean, waves and beaches are vital recreational, economic and ecological treasures to our coastal communities that will be polluted by new offshore oil drilling, regardless of whether or not there is a spill,” said Dr. Chad Nelsen, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation. “Without a massive mobilization by coastal communities around the country in opposition to new offshore drilling, our voice will be drowned out by the lobbying power of Big Oil in Washington, D.C.”
Surfrider Foundation is determined to prevent this plan from being finalized, but we need your help. It’s time to make your voice heard! Please join us by submitting comments to BOEM and contacting your federal representatives. We also urge those in affected communities to attend upcoming public hearing to provide testimony against new offshore drilling in our oceans!
Now more than ever, we need to protect the places we love and #defendourcoasts. Please visit our campaign page and take action below!
Three Things you can do Now!
1. Contact your federal representatives: take action
Members of Congress need to hear from constituents opposed to offshore drilling. Please complete the action alert and call your representatives in the House and Senate.
2. Submit comments to BOEM: visit regulations.gov
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has a public comment period open until March 9th on its draft offshore drilling proposal. See sample talking points and submit your comments today!
3. Attend a public hearing: see below for dates and events near you
For more information, visit our campaign page: click here
Attend a public hearing:
Link to full schedule
January 16 Annapolis, MD
Double Tree by Hilton
210 Holiday Court, Annapolis, MD 21401
January 16 Jackson, MS
Jackson Marriott
200 East Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39201
January 18 Dover, DE
Holiday Inn Dover – Downtown
561 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
https://www.facebook.com/events/1963394087256442/
February 3 California Day of Distributed Action, CA
A statewide event occurring separate from the BOEM Public Hearing
Coastal towns include San Diego, Laguna Beach, Ventura,
Santa Monica, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Cruz. Get details here.
February 6 Austin, TX
Embassy Suites by Hilton
5901 North IH-35, Austin, TX 78723
https://www.facebook.com/events/161845094543965/?ti=icl
February 6 Salem, OR
Red Lion Hotel Salem
3301 Market Street NE, Salem, OR 97301
https://www.facebook.com/events/824231827782016/
February 8 Tallahassee, FL
Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown
316 West Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
https://www.facebook.com/events/745033842354348/
February 8 Sacramento, CA
Tsakopoulos Library Galleria
828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
https://business.facebook.com/events/1754774281233684/
February 13 Hartford, CT
Hartford Marriott Downtown
200 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT 06103
https://www.facebook.com/events/159712931421589/
February 13 Columbia, SC
Doubletree by Hilton
2100 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210
https://www.facebook.com/events/142047229825291/
February 14 Trenton, NJ
Hilton Garden Inn, Hamilton
800 US Highway 130, Hamilton, NJ 08690
https://www.facebook.com/events/1761807877192324/
February 14 Smithtown, NY
NY state is hosting its own hearing against new offshore drilling, separate from BOEM.
William Rogers Building
725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY 11787
https://www.facebook.com/events/138684046804158/
February 15 Albany, NY
Hilton Albany
40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207
February 21 Richmond, VA
Four Points by Sheraton Richmond Airport
4700 South Labumum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23231
https://www.facebook.com/events/149023762542525/
February 21 Anchorage, AK
Dena’ina Center
600 W. Seventh Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501
February 22 Washington, DC
Hilton Garden Inn
1225 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
https://www.facebook.com/events/156936081606948/
February 26 Raleigh, NC
Hilton North Raleigh/Midtown
3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609
https://www.facebook.com/events/135797467216772/
February 27 Boston, MA
Hyatt Regency Boston
One Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111
https://www.facebook.com/events/967293473423325
February 28 Atlanta, GA
Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel
One Hartsfield Centre Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30354
https://www.facebook.com/events/1308497029295454/
February 28 Providence, RI
Marriott Providence Downtown
1 Orms Street, Providence, RI 02904
https://www.facebook.com/events/406115786485073
March 5 Concord, NH
Holiday Inn Concord Downtown
172 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301
https://www.facebook.com/events/155531068567140/
March 5 Olympia, WA
Hotel RL Olympia by Red Lion
2300 Evergreen Park Dr SW
https://www.facebook.com/events/387337368382789/
March 6 Baton Rouge, LA
Crown Plaza Executive Center Baton Rouge
4728 Constitution Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
March 7 Augusta, ME
Augusta, Civic Center
76 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330
https://www.facebook.com/events/172134343518985/
March 8 Montgomery, AL
Hilton Garden Inn Montgomery – East Chase
7665 Eastchase Parkway, Montgomery, AL 36117
More info: https://www.boem.gov/National-Program-Participate/#meeting