Maine senators oppose Trump’s offshore drilling plans

Maine Sens. Susan Collins (R) and Angus King (I) on Monday expressed opposition to the Trump administration’s plan to expand areas available for offshore drilling, citing environmental and economic concerns. 

“We oppose any effort to open waters off the coast of Maine or any proximate area to offshore drilling, which could negatively affect the health of Maine’s fisheries and other coastal resources,” the senators wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. 

Maine’s oceans support countless jobs in our state, and play a major role in our economy. That’s why @SenatorCollins and I wrote to Interior Secretary Zinke today, expressing our opposition to the Department’s plan to open up the coast of Maine for offshore drilling. #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/tjMhRPU17Q

— Senator Angus King (@SenAngusKing) January 8, 2018

“So many of our key industries, from tourism and recreation to fishing, rely on healthy oceans. A single mistake could change that forever, rob our state of a key resource and permanently harm people across Maine. The risk of a catastrophe far outweighs any benefits,” King added on Twitter.

{mosads}The Trump administration said last week it is proposing significantly expanding areas available for offshore oil and natural gas drilling, including areas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

Zinke said nearly all of the nation’s outer continental shelf, which includes waters off the coasts of Florida, California, Maine and Alaska, is being considered for drilling.

Environmental advocates panned the announcement as a giveaway to the oil industry.

Several other lawmakers have expressed concern at the proposal, including Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R).