McEachin Statement on Seismic Testing in Atlantic Ocean

WASHINGTON — Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) issued this statement following reports that the Trump Administration will soon issue Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) permits for seismic testing in the Atlantic Ocean:

“Virginians have too much to lose when we prioritize polluters’ profits over our oceans. Seismic testing, a pre-requisite to offshore drilling, entails huge booms, which can be dangerous to marine life and the sensitive coastal economies dependent on eco-tourism and fishing.

“Unlike the Trump Administration, we have not forgotten about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, one of the worst environmental disasters in American history. It is simply irresponsible to allow seismic testing because it is wrong for our environment and wildlife, threatens coastal communities’ economies, and compromises our military operations. I will never stop defending our coasts.”

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Rep. Donald McEachin (VA-04) co-founded the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Task Force to further shed much-needed light on the disproportionate impacts of climate change on communities of color, low-income, and rural areas last year. He serves as the co-chair of the Leader’s Environmental Message Team, co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Energy, Environment, and Agriculture Task Force, and is a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.  

Background:

Since the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order and a Secretarial Order to begin the process of developing a new National OCS (Outer Continental Shelf) Oil and Gas Leasing Program early last year, Congressman Donald McEachin has fought to defend our oceans from seismic testing and offshore drilling every step of the way. Throughout his tenure in Congress, Rep. McEachin has urged an immediate stop in the permitting process for seismic testing in the Atlantic Ocean, individually asked Secretary Zinke to protect Virginia’s coast from offshore drilling, introduced the bipartisan “Defend Our Coast Act,” and questioned BOEM at the public meeting on offshore drilling in Virginia.

Contact: Jamitress Bowden
(202) 225-6365