Letter to the Hon. Joe Biden, President of the United States - Pallone Applauds President Biden's Executive Order Pausing Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing

Letter

Dear Mr. President:

Thank you for your January 27, 2021 issuance of Executive Order 14008. Pausing new leasing
for offshore oil and gas drilling on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is an important first
step toward preventing billions of dollars in damage from climate change and oil spill disasters,
one that can lead us on a path to a clean energy economy. Implementing federal moratoria on
offshore oil and gas leasing and pre-leasing activities has received support from both sides of the
aisle--including Republican and Democratic administrations.

As you know, our coastal communities depend upon healthy ocean ecosystems. Accordingly,
protection of the roughly 3.3 million American jobs and $250 billion in GDP through activities
such as fishing, recreation, and tourism is vital. Dirty and dangerous offshore drilling, and
its increased emissions, are fueling the climate crisis and threaten already vulnerable frontline
communities and wildlife.

We welcome your Administration's willingness to listen and take action. Offshore drilling
protections are supported by more than 390 coastal municipalities; alliances representing over
56,000 businesses and 500,000 fishing families; the Pacific, New England, South Atlantic and
Mid-Atlantic fishery management councils, as well as several commercial and recreational
fishing interests; and 2,300 officials of both parties at all levels of government, including every
East and West Coast governor.

Our climate is in crisis, with sea levels rising and extreme weather accelerating. Protecting all
unleased areas of the OCS is critical to avoiding even worse impacts from climate change.
Permanently protecting these regions would prevent over 19 billion tons of greenhouse gas
emissions and more than $720 billion in damage to people, property, and the environment.
Simply put, we cannot afford more drilling and unchecked climate pollution.

By taking this step and investing in clean energy, we can advance ambitious and durable climate
action that protects coastal economies, creates jobs, and benefits all Americans. Again, we thank
you for this action, and we look forward to working with you to secure this future.

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