Christie asked to reaffirm opposition to drilling off Jersey coast

Environmental advocates are urging Gov. Chris Christie to reaffirm his opposition to offshore oil drilling.

 

The New Jersey Sierra Club is concerned that the governor has not spoken out on a federal plan to allow seismic testing in the Atlantic which could lead to drilling.

“Our concern is that the Jersey shore doesn’t fit in with the ‘drill, baby, drill’ crowd of the Republican Party today, and we’re very concerned about what will happen next year if there’s a change in administrations and what will happen with offshore drilling,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the group.

Offshore drilling would create a hazard that could threaten New Jersey’s tourism industry, says Assemblywoman Grace Spencer, who chairs the Assembly’s environment committee.

“In a time of recession, we need to start thinking about how we can expand our economy, how we can make sure that jobs are preserved, how jobs are created,” said Spencer, D-Essex. “Certainly, offshore drilling off the coast of New Jersey is not the way for it to happen.”

Christie spoke out against offshore drilling when he ran for office.

A spokesman for the governor says he continues to oppose it.