Protect Our Beaches, Stop Offshore Drilling
North Carolina’s beautiful natural beaches and coast line are just some of the many natural treasures our state has to offer. Visitors come to our coast to experience our national and state parks and engage in recreational diving, boating, fishing and surfing, among many other activities. NC Governor Pat McCrory, however, is actively pushing the federal government to pick up its pace and allow for exploration of oil and gas off our beautiful coast.
We cannot risk a spill off our coast similar to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico (which devastated the region’s tourism industry) — our coastal businesses and communities would be immeasurably harmed. Governor McCrory claims that the offshore drilling industry will create jobs in our state, but it is very unlikely that we will be able to compete with the much larger ports and capacity in Virginia and South Carolina for onshore infrastructure. Our Governor may be willing to risk tens of thousands of jobs and a coastal-dependent economy on uncertain and unlikely job prospects — but we are not.
Please sign our petition letting President Obama and Secretary Moniz know that North Carolinians oppose Governor McCrory’s push for offshore oil and gas exploration off of our coast.
Dear President Obama and Secretary Moniz,
We write to you in strong opposition to Governor Pat McCrory's push for offshore oil and gas exploration off our beautiful coast. Governor McCrory claims that the offshore drilling industry will create jobs in our state, but it is very unlikely that we will be able to compete with the much larger ports and capacity in Virginia and South Carolina for onshore infrastructure. Our strong coastal economy and more than 30,000 jobs depend on a healthy coast and thriving natural resources. Governor McCrory may be willing to risk tens of thousands of jobs and a coastal-dependent economy on uncertain and unlikely job prospects – but we are not.
As North Carolinians, we are very concerned about protecting our beautiful beaches, coastal communities and economy. We strongly oppose the Governor's push to allow oil and gas exploration off our coast.
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
