Offshore Drilling in New England a Non-Starter

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Colin Durrant, CLF Director of Communications
617.850.1722

Boston, MA (September 5, 2008) – A New England environmental group whose lawsuit led to an extensive offshore drilling moratorium in the 1970’s and 1980’s has promised to fight the Bush Administration’s current plan to open offshore areas to oil drilling.

The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), New England’s leading environmental group, said offshore drilling in New England threatens critical ocean habitat and would destroy important groundfish populations like cod and haddock, most notably in the region’s premier fishing grounds at Georges Bank.

In advance of an expected congressional debate on offshore drilling, CLF today sent the New England congressional delegation a letter urging them to oppose offshore drilling to protect fishing communities and instead focus on investing in clean, renewable energy to help combat global warming.

“Offshore drilling in New England would threaten our ocean’s health and the economic future of thousands of fishing families – it’s a non-starter,” said Peter Shelley, CLF Vice President and Senior Attorney who was part of the CLF legal team that defeated past offshore drilling proposals at Georges Bank. “Over two decades ago we worked hand-in-hand with fishing families to fight wrong-headed drilling proposals and we stand ready to do the same today. It is time to move beyond our addiction to oil and invest in safe, renewable energy.”

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The Conservation Law Foundation works to solve the environmental problems that threaten the people, natural resources and communities of New England. CLF’s advocates use law, economics and science to design and implement strategies that conserve natural resources, protect public health, and promote vital communities in our region. Founded in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. It has offices in Boston, Massachusetts; Concord, New Hampshire; Providence, Rhode Island; Montpelier, Vermont; and Brunswick, Maine.