To: Ryan Zinke, Interior Secretary and President Donald Trump
Remove Rhode Island from offshore drilling plan
In 1996, Rhode Islanders were horrified when an oil barge grounded and released more than 800,000 gallons of oil into Rhode Island sound—killing off millions of crabs, lobsters, and other forms of sea life as well as devastating water fowl and other species of birds. The Trump administration just announced that it would drop Florida from its plan after strong public backlash. We must show Secretary Ryan Zinke and President Trump that the people of Rhode Island are also opposed to offshore drilling in our coastal waters.
Why is this important?
Rhode Island's coasts are a major contributor to the state's economy. Florida was withdrawn from the plan for similar concerns, so should Rhode Island. I oppose all offshore drilling. It is step backwards from progress toward a clean energy economy which is creating more US jobs than any other industry.