Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, joined by Billy Joel, today signed legislation (S.2316 (Kaminsky)/A.2572 (Englebright)) to ban offshore drilling in New York State waters. The legislation will bar the state from granting permits for drilling, or oil or gas exploration in offshore areas controlled by the State. The ban will protect New York's waters and coasts by making it more difficult for oil and gas drilling to occur close to coastal New York, even in waters controlled by the federal government. In addition, the legislation prohibits the leasing of State-owned underwater coastal land that would authorize or facilitate the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas. The Governor signed the bill in direct response to the Trump administration proposal to open U.S. coastal areas to drilling.
"This bill says no way are you going to drill off the coast of Long Island and New York, because we must lead the way as an alternative to what this federal government is doing," Governor Cuomo said. "Today is about making sure Jones Beach and all of the coastal communities are here for our children and for the next generation. We must make sure we leave this world a better place for them because our job as parents, as citizens, as human beings is to pass it on better than you found it."
"This legislation to ban offshore drilling in New York's waterways is part of our ongoing efforts to protect our water quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "While the federal government fails to address the threat of environmental damage, New York is continuing to lead the way with our aggressive clean energy goals and commitment to combat climate change for a cleaner and greener environment for future generations."
In 2017, the federal government proposed a new National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2019-2024, which would open more than 90 percent of the country's offshore waters to oil and gas drilling. For the first time in decades, the new federal plan would open up vast areas of the Atlantic Ocean for possible fossil fuel exploration and drilling, putting New York's coast at direct risk of significant environmental damage.
An exclusion from offshore drilling was granted to Florida shortly after its launch on the grounds that the state relies heavily on tourism as one of the nation's top ocean economies. However, as the number three ocean economy in the nation, New York has not been granted this same exclusion, and stands to lose nearly 320,000 jobs and billions of dollars generated through tourism and fishing industries should the exclusion not be granted. Overall, New York's ocean economy generates $11 billion in wages and contributes $23 billion in gross domestic product. Long Island and the New York Harbor are home to 11.4 million people, with 60 percent of the State's population living along nearly 2,000 miles of tidal coastline.
Additionally, the Port of NYNJ—the largest on the Atlantic seaboard—would be devastated by any major spill related to offshore drilling, disrupting operations and impacting the national economy. The Port supports 400,000 indirect jobs and 229,000 direct jobs while generating $90 billion in combined personal and business income and $8.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "New York is leading the nation forward in the transition to a clean energy economy. We recognize that oil and gas exploration, drilling, and potential environmental damage associated with offshore drilling would endanger New York's multi-billion dollar coastal economy. Rather than putting the health of our coasts and our waters at risk, directed by Governor Cuomo, New York is responsibly expanding renewable energy to support the state's comprehensive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change."
Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming said, "The 2nd Legislative District, which I represent, extends from Brookhaven to Shelter Island to Montauk Point and is home to internationally-recognized stunning beaches, a powerful tourist and second-home economy, and a resurging aquaculture and fishery industry, all critical economic drivers. For the Long Island region, tourism income generates $5.6 billion and supports over 100,000 local jobs. I fully endorse our leaders in Albany, on Long Island and in Suffolk County for leading the efforts in banning offshore drilling and preserving and protecting the ocean beaches that help to define us."
In March 2019, the U.S. Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration asked the public to weigh in on ways to "streamline" a state review process granted under the Coastal Zone Management Act, which is one of the most powerful tools states have to regulate activity off their coasts. At the direction of Governor Cuomo, Department of State filed comments that urge the federal government to abandon any attempt to weaken or undermine state authority needed to protect our vital coastal economy.
While the Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt recently expressed uncertainty about whether the administration's drilling plan will go forward, New York and other coastal states are maintaining pressure and remaining vigilant in their opposition. Several other state legislatures have taken legislative action to block the proposed expansion of federal oil and gas leasing off their shores. Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and South Carolina have introduced bills or resolutions aimed at preventing offshore drilling on their coastal waters. California, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Oregon have successfully enacted laws.
Governor Cuomo has made significant investments in supporting the region's marine resources, including the largest expansion of the state's Artificial Reef program in state history, a record $300 million Environmental Protection Fund investment, the $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act and $500 million additional funds for clean water in the 2019-2020 budget, more than $2 million for the NY Sea Grant program to mitigate Long Island brown tide, and actions taken to ban offshore drilling along New York's coastline.
