(Washington – December 13, 2018) Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) should make clear that he opposes the Trump administration’s plans to dramatically expand offshore drilling, according to the NRDC Action Fund, a national environmental organization that launched a digital ad campaign in Virginia this week on the issue. The ads urge his constituents to contact Sen. Warner to express their opposition to expanded offshore drilling.
The Trump administration recently gave companies permission to begin exploring for oil and gas off the Atlantic coast using deafening seismic air guns — which experts say will harm thousands of whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals, including endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale.
“Seismic testing is another step toward dangerous oil rigs off Virginia beaches,” said Kevin Curtis, executive director of the NRDC Action Fund. “Virginians have a right to know exactly where Senator Warner stands on the expansion of offshore drilling and what his plans are to stop it in its tracks—once and for all. Senator Warner should unequivocally denounce the Trump administration’s drilling plans that threaten Virginia’s economy, endanger the health of coastal communities, and worsen the climate crisis.”