Augusta, MAINE – In the wake of the Interior Department’s draft plan to pursue offshore drilling, which could potentially occur off the coast of Maine, Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Katie Mae Simpson called on the Republican gubernatorial candidates to oppose the proposal:
“Maine’s maritime industries are under enough strain without having to confront the possibility of oil exploration off our coast. Rather than allow big fossil fuel companies to threaten our environment and our fisheries, Shawn Moody, Mary Mayhew, Ken Fredette, Mike Thibodeau, and Garrett Mason should break with Governor LePage to come out in opposition to the possibility of drilling off of Maine’s coast. Anything other than that would be reckless for Maine’s environment and for the thousands of Mainers who rely on our coastal waters to make a living.”
BACKGROUND:
In the past, Governor LePage has expressed support for the possibility of drilling off the coast of Maine, and he also chaired the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition which supports pursing the expansion of offshore drilling. Meanwhile, Maine’s entire Congressional delegation opposes drilling off the coast of Maine:
Senator Susan Collins: “I continue to oppose efforts to open Maine’s coast to drilling, which poses significant risk to marine and coastal resources, our economy, and our way of life. I oppose the Department of the Interior‘s draft plan.”
Senator Angus King: “I oppose drilling off our coast. Keeping Maine's water clean and bountiful is absolutely essential to our livelihood.”
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree: “When I return to Washington next wk, I’ll immediately start working w/ colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose @realDonaldTrump's fast-tracked plan to exploit our waters + loosen up safety standards that prevent tragedies like BP oil spill.”
Congressman Bruce Poliquin: “As I have voted in the past, I am opposed to oil drilling off the coast of our state of Maine. So much of our state’s economy and tens of thousands of Maine jobs along our coast depend on our marine and tourism industries. I am committed to protecting Maine’s unique natural resources.”
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