San Francisco: Savannah, Georgia, became the latest community along the US eastern seaboard to come out against offshore drilling plans when its city council on Friday unanimously approved a resolution opposing seismic testing and oil drilling in the Atlantic.
The historic seaport’s representatives were expressing their view in reaction to Washington’s proposal for exploration and extraction of oil and gas no nearer than 50 miles from shore in waters adjoining the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Communities all along the eastern coast have been giving their yay or nay to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), a part of the Department of the Interior.
Savannah city council cited concerns about risks associated with the oil industry especially environmental damage which could have knock-on negative impacts on quality of life and the local economy of the scenic city.
More than 50 coastal towns and cities have formally opposed offshore drilling and exploration on the US east coast.
