Cooper Stands with Sierrans Against Offshore Drilling

Gov. Roy Cooper says he will oppose efforts to open the mid-Atlantic coastline to offshore drilling.

North Carolina’s chief executive announced his opposition today at Fort Macon State Park in response to President Trump’s plan to reopen the federal five-year drilling plan to include North Carolina. Just last year, the Obama administration removed the mid-Atlantic from consideration. 

Cooper said offshore exploration and drilling aren’t worth the threats they pose to North Carolina’s fragile coastal environment and the coastal economy.

“There is a threat looming over this coastline that we love and the prosperity it brings, and that’s the threat of offshore drilling,” Cooper said. “As governor, I’m here to speak out and to take action against it. I can sum it up in four words: Not off our coast.”

The event was attended by a number of Sierrans, including the Croatan Group’s conservation chair Penny Hooper and chair Michael Murdoch (pictured with Cooper).

Cooper’s statement is a marked contrast to the position of his predecessor. Gov. Pat McCrory strongly endorsed offshore drilling throughout his administration, even though many communities along the coast and inland passed anti-drilling resolutions in 2014 and 2015. 

“Today Governor Cooper sent a strong, clear message to the Trump administration and the fossil fuel industry that our coast is not for sale,” Erin Carey, the NC Sierra Club’s Coastal Coordinator, said. “We thank Governor Cooper for his leadership and we support him in protecting our fragile marine ecosystem and our thriving coastal communities.”

Cooper’s announcement took place at the site of the annual Hands Across the Sands event at Fort Macon. Over the past several years, Sierrans and other concerned citizens have joined hands across the beach to express their support for protecting our coast. Sierra Club volunteers and staff attended today’s encouraging announcement.