Opponents dominate NJ hearing on Obama offshore drilling plan

[Bluebear]

NEWARK, N.J. — Public testimony at a hearing in New Jersey Tuesday was overwhelmingly against President Barack Obama's plan to allow oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean.

State residents and representatives of environmental groups told federal officials that they feared for the state's already compromised economy and environment. They were joined by a smattering of drilling proponents at one of the first hearings on the issue since an explosion at an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico renewed concerns about offshore drilling.

The federal Minerals Management Service hearing was officially about whether to authorize seismic testing in the Outer Continental Shelf, a precursor to drilling. But nearly everyone who testified referenced the oil rig explosion that killed as many as 11 missing workers and is spewing 42,000 gallons per day of crude into the gulf off the Louisiana coast.

"New Jersey has already done too little to contend with the devastating pollution to our waterways and air quality in the wake of industrial and chemical wastes being developed and dumped every day," said Deborah Beal of Ridgefield Park.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ijmzoObcMDyeXXrne4t-7meTNxQwD9FBL2680

[peacebird]

1. Good. His plan was all about pandering. "Drill Baby Drill" will not solve our probs.

Perhaps he should remember that the repubs will always oppose him, and fronting their ideas and goals is NOT a way to win progressives support.

Tough love.