Letter to the Hon Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the US Department of the Interior - After Zinke Closed Door Meeting with NJ Republicans on Offshore Drilling, Pallone asks for Meeting with Democrats
Letter
I write to request that you meet with the New Jersey's Congressional Democrats to outline the Administration's plans for implementing the 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program.
According to multiple media reports, you met with Republican members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation on February 27th to discuss the Administration's offshore leasing plans. The New Jersey Congressional Delegation is unified in its opposition to the Administration's proposed OCS leasing program and all members would benefit from greater insight into your thinking. A frank and direct conversation on this important matter will promote transparency and help ensure the voices of those we represent are heard by the Administration, and I urge you to work expeditiously to schedule a meeting to discuss this issue with the Democratic members of the delegation.
On a related note, I would like to follow up with you regarding a January 11, 2018 invitation to personally visit New Jersey to meet with the Governor, lawmakers, and constituents who would be impacted by the 2019-2024 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. I have not received a response from your office on this matter. As you know, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management held a public meeting in New Jersey on February 14, 2018. While constituents from across the state came to voice their opposition to the OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024, there was no opportunity to submit verbal testimony. In light of the large scope of the proposed program and the tremendous local risks associated with the program, I again ask that you schedule a Secretarial visit and afford the people of New Jersey the opportunity to share their views at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for your consideration of these requests. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
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