Georgia’s Deal worried about offshore drilling
ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal raised concerns about the Trump administration’s decision to allow new offshore oil and gas drilling in coastal Georgia and much of the rest of the nation’s coastal waters, but it’s unclear whether the state will seek an exemption from the expanded federal program.
The governor’s office said in a statement Wednesday that Deal has “some concerns with opening up Georgia’s pristine coastlines which he will convey to the congressional delegation.”
The reaction from the state’s Republicans on Capitol Hill was a bit more muted, while environmentalists and some coastal officials urged the governor to push for an exemption similar to the one the Trump administration recently granted Florida Gov. Rick Scott.
The U.S. Interior Department announced the changes last week, opening up more than 90 percent of the country’s outer continental shelf to oil and gas exploration and development beginning in 2019. That includes Georgia’s roughly 100 miles of coastline.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said the plan would bolster the country’s economy and energy security while funding conservation efforts. He announced plans to collect public comments on the proposal, including at a Feb. 28 meeting in Atlanta.
“Just like with mining, not all areas are appropriate for offshore drilling, and we will take that into consideration in the coming weeks,” Zinke said in a Jan. 4 statement. “The important thing is we strike the right balance to protect our coasts and people while still powering America and achieving American Energy Dominance”
The announcement prompted stiff opposition from governors from both parties on the coasts. The critics include the governors of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
One of the most outspoken opponents, Florida’s Scott — a vocal Trump backer who is seen as a possible top recruit for the state’s U.S. Senate race later this year — won a reprieve from the order this week. The Trump administration announced it had ruled out drilling for oil and gas offshore Florida because, Zinke said, “its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver.”
Deal’s office declined to comment further on the possibility of seeking a reprieve.