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For Immediate Release
House Strips Coastal Protections for Gulf States by Giving Big Oil Access to Drill
Drilling Deal Gives Away Protected Coastal Waters to Big Oil and Billions from Federal Treasury to Four Gulf States
Washington, D.C. -- Defenders of Wildlife today decried the House vote to open previously protected waters in the Gulf of Mexico to drilling as one of the most egregious giveaways to Big Oil by any Congress.
"The coastal drilling bill passed by the House today contains disastrous provisions for coastal communities, marine wildlife and tourism-based industries," stated Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife. "It’s shameful that our elected officials in the last week of the 109th Congress decided to give Big Oil one last gift and give away access to our pristine Gulf Coast."
The bill opens 8.3 million acres of currently protected waters in the Gulf of Mexico, gives Big Oil access to coastal waters that are currently protected under the existing national moratorium and gives away billions of dollars to four Gulf States. Moreover, the bill offers no protections for any other coastal state, including Florida’s Atlantic coast, and costs tens of billions of dollars over the next several decades.
"This bill is a raw deal for Americans who are looking to our elected leaders to chart a new course on energy reliance by focusing on clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar power, as well as making cars go further on a gallon of gas," stated Schlickeisen. "There are better ways to produce energy than drilling. We are confident that when the 110th Congress convenes in January, they will move this country forward and not base our energy future on fossil fuels."
"The measure was attached to tax extender legislation that both the House and Senate agreed to use as a back-door tactic to pass the provision," stated Schlickeisen. "This last-ditch attempt to appease Big Oil does a disserve to Americans who are concerned about curtailing our nation’s reliance on fossil fuels."
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Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.
