Pallone Denounces Atlantic Seismic Testing Laying Groundwork for Offshore Drilling

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Friday criticized the Obama Administration for moving forward with seismic surveying in the Atlantic in preparation for oil and gas drilling. In a House Natural Resources hearing, Pallone questioned Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement Director Michael Bromwich about the environmental harm caused by seismic exploration and the implications the testing has for offshore drilling.

“I’m convinced that drilling is not the way forward,” said Pallone. “I do not want offshore oil drilling in the Atlantic. Just as we saw in the Gulf, the impacts would hurt our state tourism industry, devastate recreational and commercial fishing and pollute one of our nation’s most unique ecological and biological environments.”

This past May, the Republican majority in the House passed legislation that would open huge swaths of the Atlantic and Pacific to offshore drilling despite objections from Pallone and other congressmen. Pallone’s attempts to amend the legislation to prevent drilling in the Atlantic and off New Jersey’s shores were also defeated by Republican opposition.

Today Pallone renewed his opposition to offshore drilling and called on the Administration to reject the false premise that drilling in the Atlantic would produce enough oil to have any substantial effect on prices at the pump. Pallone also called out Republican proposals to give taxpayer funded subsidies to big oil’s search for oil and profits in the Atlantic. Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings has proposed cost credits for companies performing seismic testing.

“Seismic testing lays the groundwork for future offshore drilling,” Pallone added. “The seismic exploration that’s being planned for the East Coast isn’t some harmless activity. It’s demonstrated to disrupt marine mammals and dramatically affect fishermen’s ability to make a living.”