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Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Rhode Island details its objections to oil-drilling off our coast

RIDEM Submits Comments Citing Strong Opposition to Offshore Drilling Proposal

As a follow-up to Governor Gina M. Raimondo's February 28th letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) opposing the Trump Administration's proposal to lift the ban on offshore oil drilling, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Director Janet Coit submitted formal comments to BOEM outlining how the decision would endanger the health of Rhode Island's environment and marine resources.

"Oil and gas exploration and drilling pose major, direct, and adverse impacts to our living marine resources and the many residents and visitors to Rhode Island who rely upon them as a source of food, jobs, and recreation," wrote Director Coit.

As Director Coit also pointed out in her letter, "The citizens of Rhode Island are united in their opposition to oil and gas drilling off our coast, and Rhode Island cities and towns are standing with RIDEM, our sister agencies, and Governor Raimondo in opposition to offshore drilling."

Attached is Director Coit's comment letter to BOEM and the resolutions and letters from Rhode Island municipalities opposed to the proposed inclusion of the North Atlantic Region in the OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program, along with the opposition letters from Governor Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Health.

For information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

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