The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission passed a resolution this week opposing offshore drilling and gas exploration off the North Carolina coast.
The resolution states that offshore drilling and gas exploration would pose inherent risks to the environment, economy, and quality of life.
“It cites the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 and the Deep Water Horizon oil spill in 2010, and the impact those had,” said Patricia Smith, spokeswoman for the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management. “It also cites some different studies that have been done that raise concerns about adverse impacts that seismic testing can have to marine mammals and other fisheries. There was some talk and discussion that the risk was just not worth it.”
President Donald Trump’s Administration is preparing five permits from companies who want to conduct seismic testing in federal waters to search for possible drilling sites off the Atlantic Coast. Florida, South Carolina and Maryland have expressed opposition to offshore oil and gas exploration, as has North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.
“There are numerous cities and towns that have passed resolutions against this. The Coastal Resources Commission felt like they needed to be a leader in this, as well, and come out against this,” said Smith.
The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission’s resolution passed unanimously.
