The Department of the Interior just released a proposed offshore drilling lease plan which expands where offshore drilling can happen off America's coastlines by more than 1 billion acres—including places where it has never happened, or where lease sales have not been held for decades.
Simultaneously, safety precautions that help prevent devastating oil spills are being rolled back, along with the elimination of critical staff who enforce them.
The damaging consequences of oil spills and other harms that would increase under the proposed expansion plans to pristine Arctic waters in Alaska, the California coast, and the Florida Gulf coast are greatly increased, far-reaching, and long-lasting.
Take action by saying NO to expanded offshore drilling and YES to safeguarding sea otters, shore birds, whales, and all coastal wildlife.
Subject: I oppose the proposed expansion of offshore drilling off America's coasts
I request that Department of Interior Secretary Burgum withdraw the proposed offshore leasing plan, Draft Proposed Program (DPP) for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program and not expand the footprint of offshore drilling off America's coasts.
Coastal states and communities in these areas oppose oil and gas drilling off their coastlines. This proposal will set the stage for massive oil and chemical spills, like those that have already happened in the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Barbara, California. Healthy ocean resources, coastal economies, marine ecosystems, and over 42,000 miles of clean, oil-free beaches and shorelines will be in jeopardy.
I oppose expanding offshore drilling off America's coastlines by more than 1 billion acres—particularly off the coasts of Florida, California and in pristine Arctic waters. I am also greatly alarmed that safety precautions to help prevent devastating oil spills are being rolled back, along with the elimination of critical staff who enforce them.
Instead, I am calling on you to turn your efforts away from expanding offshore drilling and towards expanding and strengthening safeguards for marine habitats and coastal wildlife in all waters off our coasts.
Thank you,
[Name]
