Senator Harckham Fights Against Dangerous Offshore Drilling

(Mt. Kisco, NY) Senator Pete Harckham, together with the Senate Majority, passed historic legislation today to ban oil and natural gas drilling in New York's coastal areas. The legislation (S.2316), sponsored by Senator Kaminsky, will protect New York’s coast from the Trump Administration’s dangerous offshore drilling expansion efforts.

“New Yorkers don’t want an oil slick or drilling debris washing up on their shores and beaches," said Senator Pete Harckham, 40th Senate District. "They want their coastline kept pristine and protected for future generations to enjoy. Since the federal government has taken action that would damage our state’s environment and wildlife, the Senate Majority worked today to mitigate those actions through state law."

The legislation will update New York State's decades-old laws regulating oil and natural gas drilling. Specifically, this legislation prevents conveyances, leases, and acquisitions of land for offshore oil and gas.

“As Senators, it’s our job to protect the quality of life and economy of every part of our state,” said Senator Harckham. "I'll continue to fight to keep our state, wildlife and shoreline communities safe from offshore drilling.

New York State Senate District 40 includes parts of Northern Westchester (Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Sleepy Hollow, Somers, Yorktown) Putnam (Brewster, Carmel, Patterson, Southeast) and Dutchess (Beekman, Pawling).