Carney campaigns against offshore drilling

Congressional candidate John Carney calls for the administration to reverse decision to explore oil drilling off Delaware’s coast.

Candidate for  Delaware’s lone seat in the U.S. House John Carney (D) hit the beach today to call on the Obama administration to reverse the decision to expand oil and gas exploration off the East Coast.

Carney, Delaware’s former Lt. Governor, says if oil drilling were allowed off the coast of Delaware, the impact of an accident similar to what’s happened in the Gulf of Mexico would have a catastrophic impact on the state’s economy.  “The potential devastating impact it could have on the tourism industry and the economy of Sussex County and the state.  You’re talking about a $1.3 billion tourism industry.”  Carney says he’d rather see  more support and investment in offshore wind technology rather than offshore oil drilling.

Carney says, “This is an issue that shows how important protecting Delaware and Delaware’s interests is to me, and how it would be important as a member of Congress.  That’s more important frankly than loyalty to party or to a President.”  The Carney campaign even put together a political ad that was sent out to potential Delaware voters via phone last night calling for the President to stop the plan to explore for oil reserves off the coast of Delaware.