State of North Carolina’s coastal regulatory board says risks associated with offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling off the Atlantic coast aren’t worth threats to the tourism and fishing economies along with the environment.
The state Coastal Resources Commission has approved a resolution this week opposing the idea.
President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing permits to allow testing for possible drilling sites off the Atlantic coast. Some East Coast states and many coastal North Carolina communities already oppose the plan.
Thursday’s resolution approved unanimously cited the Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon oil spills and studies showing adverse effects from seismic testing on marine life.
The commission is appointed by the governor and legislative leaders. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein have already have spoken out against offshore exploration.
NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL PANEL OPPOSES OFF SHORE DRILLING
