BOSTON, MA (February 9, 2009) – Last year, US Representative Edward J. Markey added a clause to the energy bill, passed by the House, protecting historic Georges Bank fishing grounds from gas and oil exploration. The Senate never took up the issue.
But the debate about drilling off New England is far from over. As President Obama considers where drilling should be allowed and polls show public support for it, Markey last week reintroduced his legislation, saying any drilling on Georges could be disastrous to the New England fishing industry.
His Georges Bank Preservation Act would protect the submerged land mass, as well as marine national monuments or national marine sanctuaries, from exploration and drilling.
Read the Boston Globe's environmental blog entry in full