By Valerie Cleland In a House Natural Resources Committee hearing this week, committee members focused on the connection between offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. climate goals. This much is clear: continuing ‘business as usual’ offshore oil
this week, committee members focused on the connection between offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. climate goals. This much is clear: continuing ‘business as usual’ offshore oil and gas leasing simply does not put us on a path to meet our climate goals.
I believe including any new leasing in BOEM’s upcoming five-year plan would be at odds with the administration’s stated climate and environmental justice goals and that’s why I urge the administration to move forward on a five-year leasing plan that does not include new leasing.” House Democrats brought in three expert witnesses to testify on drilling in the Gulf and the associated climate and environmental justice implications.Dr.
Rep. Donald McEachin of Virginia, a true champion for environmental justice, questioned the witnesses on the ways to move towards an equitable renewable energy future that would create jobs that don’t come at the expense of public health and the climate. Rep. Katie Porter of California, in her usual style, asked direct questions about how much taxpayers are subsidizing both the extraction and cleanup of fossil fuels.