Today I reintroduced legislation to protect Massachusetts’ fragile Georges Bank from any oil or natural gas drilling, which could be potentially disastrous for the New England fishing industry.
From the boats and wharfs to the markets and restaurants of New England, the unique habitat of Georges Bank is a key economic engine for Massachusetts and the region and an important part of our cultural heritage. In this economic crisis, the preservation of Georges Bank is vital to not just the environmental integrity of New England but also the stability of its economy.
As President Obama and Congress pass crucial recovery legislation to create new American jobs, protecting Georges Bank will preserve hundreds of jobs here in Massachusetts. This fragile ecosystem must be protected for its environmental – and fiscal – value. The legislation that I introduced today with twelve of my New England colleagues will ensure that Georges Bank is never allowed to become Exxon’s bank.
Read more about my legislation and the importance of protecting Georges Bank on my site: http://markey.house.gov/index….
I know they let it expire last year because they couldn’t agree on a compromise, but presumably with the new administration and the smaller Republican minority. there would be more consensus on the issue.
We need a new direction on our energy policy, and destroying one of America’s great fisheries and risking Massachusetts’ coastline for a few barrels of oil is not it. Instead we need to take drilling and strip mining our nation’s natural treasures off the table and focus on policies that can actually lead to energy independence, clean air and curbing global warming
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p>Let’s instead put Americans back to work repowering our country with clean renewable energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal power.
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p>Congratulations to Congressman Markey for once again being a leader in defense of Massachusetts’ environment.
The disruption of the fishing stocks will not only hurt the fishing industry, but will severely disrupt to habits of marine mammals who live in this area.
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p>In addition to crippling the whalewatching industry which brings millions of dollars to Massachusetts (not Texas), drilling in George’s Bank would be the deathknell of the Right Whale.
95% of the people who post here forget what it was like during the debacle of the Carter administration with gas rationing, unhealthy household temps for the elderly, rolling bronouts, fisfights at gas stations, people burning their gas guzzlers, .
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p>Meanwhile the Texas Gulf Coast enjoys a paradoxical resurgence of fish and shrimp stocks. The oil and gas exploration and production derricks are scrupulously monitored for pollution issues. But, don’t let facts confuse emotion.