Van Drew Statement on Impending Signing of Offshore Drilling Ban into Law

TRENTON – Senator Jeff Van Drew issued the following statement on the impending signing of the offshore drilling ban into law by Governor Murphy:

“I laud Governor Murphy on his decision to sign into law the bill that I and Senator Singleton sponsored that will ban offshore drilling off the coast of New Jersey.  This bill is important for the continued protection of the Jersey Shore.

“Opening up offshore areas to oil and gas drilling is dangerous and deeply concerning for our state.  It poses a substantial threat to both the ecologically delicate areas along the coast and also to the tourism industry on which our local and statewide economy depends. Tourism generates an estimated $44 billion annually and supports 500,000 jobs for the state. Any potential spill or related disaster would put our environment, our marine life and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of hard-working New Jerseyans at risk.”

The bill signing will take place today at 10:30 in Point Pleasant on Jenkinson’s Boardwalk.