Washington, D.C. – In response to the Trump administration’s decision to authorize companies to harm marine mammals with seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic Ocean, the League of Conservation Voters released the following statement from Conservation Program Director Alex Taurel:

“The Trump administration is showing just how out of touch they are with coastal communities up and down the east coast by taking the first steps toward offshore drilling. Those communities and their elected officials in both parties have been vocal in saying no to offshore drilling that would threaten their tourism, recreation, and fishing economies. Seismic airgun blasting would harm marine mammals and threaten fishing, and it is a precursor to drilling that coastal communities strongly oppose. Rather than setting our shores on the path to dirty and dangerous drilling, we should be investing in our nation’s clean energy economy.

“LCV stands with communities around the country wishing to protect their beaches, and we will oppose any action this administration takes to expand offshore drilling.”