Senator Ken LaValle Calls For Federal Offshore Drilling Hearings On Long Island

 “The US Government’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is holding a public meeting in Albany on February 15th concerning off-shore drilling for oil and gas.  As NY State representatives of Suffolk County, which is surrounded by water on three sides, we are requesting the BOEM hold public hearings on Long Island. 

Our communities rely heavily upon our clean waters for recreation, the economy and tourism.   The water is the fabric that connects and binds all of Long Island.  Collectively the federal, state and local governments have invested nearly $1 billion to keep the waters healthy.  In November, New York voters approved a $2.5 billion bond to be utilized to maintain water quality.  Clearly, our environment is vital to us.

We have painstakingly worked to preserve and protect our pristine waters, and we certainly do not want to imperil our collective efforts by allowing drilling off our shores.  The 1.5 million Suffolk County residents deserve the opportunity to be heard on this critically important environmentally sensitive issue.  The BOEM should hold a hearing as soon as possible on Long Island.”

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