Resolutions against offshore oil drilling headed for vote
Today and tomorrow elected officials in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Beaufort and Morehead City, North Carolina all will consider resolutions asking the federal government to drop its proposal to open waters off the Southeast coast to oil drilling and seismic testing.
The votes are part of a growing movement to protect the Southeast coast from the threat of offshore oil exploration. Residents, organizations, and local governments have repeatedly stated their position that drilling is not worth the risk to their thriving tourism and fishing industries, as well as the environment.
While elected officials debate their position, there are many ways residents and visitors to these coastal areas can spread the word. Below is a list of 10 ways to help #protectourcoast.
- Order a free sticker and put it on your car.
- Order a sticker for a friend.
- Call your governor’s office to express your opposition to offshore drilling.
- Write your members of Congress to express your opposition.
- Submit a letter to the editor to your daily and weekly papers.
- Comment on the federal seismic permits in September.
- Comment on the federal drilling proposal in March 2016.
- If you have a house at the coast or visit the coast contact your local coastal government to encourage them to pass a resolution to oppose offshore drilling if they haven't done so already.
- North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia residents can sign an online petition.
- Display a yard sign. Order one for your friends and neighbors too. North Carolina residents can order a free one here. In Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia groups are distributing signs in coastal communities.
The Virginia Beach City Council is the next group poised to tackle this issue as they have a discussion on offshore oil drilling planned for their Aug. 18 meeting. The Virginian-Pilot recently previewed the scheduled briefing.
To learn more about the importance of preserving our coastal way of life and keeping offshore drilling out of the Southeast Atlantic, visit protectourcoastnow.com.