Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ11) voted this week to protect New Jersey’s 130 miles of coastline and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The Coastal Marine Economics Protection Act (H.R. 1941) passed in the House last night with bipartisan support. It would establish a permanent moratorium on oil and gas leasing along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act (H.R. 1146) that passed today is a bipartisan proposal to repeal a provision of the 2017 tax bill that opened the coastal plain of ANWR to oil and gas leasing developments.
“New Jersey’s coastline is a precious resource that sustains our environment, fishing industry, and tourism economy,” said Rep. Sherrill, who represents the district that includes Verona. “Offshore drilling puts all three of those things at risk. Congress needs to focus on growing our clean energy economy and following New Jersey’s lead by investing in a clean energy future.
“New Jersey residents recognize that opening up protected and delicate ecosystems to drilling presents serious concerns that extend beyond the Jersey shore. The first question I ever answered from a resident in our community was about ANWR. I will continue to work hard to safeguard our public lands.”
