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WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) today hailed the House vote approving two bills that block new offshore drilling on the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, as well as in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. The legislation comes after President Trump’s vow to open new leasing in vulnerable American waters, which his administration has pursued despite offshore drilling’s poor safety track record and the fact that coastal economies would be devastated if another event like Deepwater Horizon spill were to happen.

“Clean and healthy oceans and coastlines are important for every American, supporting communities and the livelihoods of many,” Dingell said. “Opening up new drilling without the proper safety and environmental studies is shortsighted and dangerous. We must work together to keep our waters clean and protect the environment.”

Wednesday, the House passed the Protecting and Securing Florida's Coastline Act (H.R. 205), which blocks new offshore drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act (H.R. 1941), which blocks new offshore drilling along the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines.

Offshore drilling does not represent a meaningful long-term economic opportunity for the country, especially compared to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, which are the nation’s fastest and second fastest growing job sectors respectively. Pentagon officials have warned against drilling in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico for years, calling it incompatible with training needs.

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