The Trump administration's decision to open offshore oil and gas drilling in nearly all United States coastal waters endangers our natural resources. In response to this gutting of environmental protections, Congressman Lee Zeldin put out the following statement on January 5th, 2018:
"I support an energy strategy that secures American energy independence and drives down costs. On Long Island, however, our waterways are our way of life, and drilling off of Long Island is unacceptable and counterproductive to the well-being of our communities."
This anti-science, anti-environment, "not in my backyard" thinking is dangerous and wrong. Offshore oil and gas drilling, no matter where it occurs, is destructive to our natural resources. Rather than continuing practices that endanger our planet, the focus should be on expanding renewable energy resources.
With this statement, Congressman Zeldin ignores the 97% of scientists who warn that climate change is man made, and must be corrected by changing our actions. The congressman recently sent out a mailer to his constituents touting his environmental credentials, using taxpayer dollars to do so. It is disingenuous on the congressman's part to present himself as an advocate for environmental protection, when he supports the outdated policies and thinking that the Trump administration is proposing. The Congressman's cognitive dissonance is reflected in his score of 11/100% on his environmental voting record from the League of Conservation Voters.
Congressman Zeldin, we ask that you support the evidence based and science based research that advocates for developing renewable energy, and reducing oil and gas drilling. We ask that you become a true supporter of preserving the environment, rather than self promoting token gestures, as you support regressive measures. All of us, regardless of political affiliation, must live on this planet together, and science is not a partisan issue. Please denounce the Trump administration's decision to expand oil and gas offshore drilling, and be the congressman that NY-1 deserves.
