NJ lawmakers write to Bush opposing drilling off Va. coast

WASHINGTON — Twelve members of the New Jersey congressional delegation wrote to President Bush today opposing his administration’s proposal to allow oil and natural gas drilling off the Virginia coast.

They accused the federal Minerals Management Service of "glibly" ignoring New Jersey's concerns about the ecological and economic damage the state could incur if drilling is allowed off Virginia's coast.

Reps. Albio Sires, D-Hoboken, and Scott Garrett, R-Wantage, didn't sign the letter. Calls to their offices to find out why weren't immediately returned.

The five-year plan, announced Monday by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, seeks to expand drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and proposes to sell leases to drill off Virginia in late 2011. Kempthorne said he included Virginia at the state's request.

However oil and gas exploration can't take place until Congress and the White House lift drilling bans for the Atlantic Coast.

Gary Strasburg, spokesman for the Minerals Management Service, said the agency made a "special effort" to listen to New Jersey's concerns at an Atlantic City public hearing in November. He downplayed fears of oil spills and other problems, saying Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused miminal environmental damage along the Gulf coast.

Source : www.app.com