Offshore drilling: Ocean City letter reiterates opposition

The Ocean City Town Council and Mayor Rick Meehan have made their opinions on offshore drilling known.

They reiterated that on Tuesday at the Ocean City Town Council meeting.

The council voted 6-0 to send a letter to Gov. Larry Hogan and their representatives in Congress letting them know they oppose offshore drilling. Mary Knight, Ocean City Town Council secretary, was not present.

Another offshore project was brought up during the meeting when Meehan said the town supports most of the benefits of offshore wind as long as it remains unseen from the shoreline.

But Meehan said, "We can't find anything that benefits the town of Ocean City, Maryland, the citizens by having offshore drilling off the Atlantic coast."

The letter reiterated the issues the council and mayor have with offshore drilling, including dangers to health, safety, and environmental and economic welfare of visitors to the town, citizens and property owners.

Meehan and town officials also traveled to Annapolis to oppose any offshore drilling in January. 

This is not the first time the council has sent a letter opposing offshore drilling.

In October 1974, Ocean City passed a resolution to oppose offshore drilling. In September 2015, Ocean City passed another resolution voicing its concerns with offshore drilling and seismic blasting.

At the end of the meeting, Meehan said the period for public comment to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is still open, and can be submitted by visiting https://www.boem.gov/National-Program-Comment/.

The public comment to BOEM is open until March 9.

READ MORE: Ocean City mayor joins bipartisan opposition to offshore drilling in Maryland

READ MORE: In rare break from Trump, Rep. Andy Harris opposes Maryland offshore drilling

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