Albany, New York – Yesterday, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach) voted to pass bill A.2572 (Englebright) which would prohibit oil and natural gas drilling off of New York’s Coast. Specifically the bill would amend the Environmental Conservation Law § 23-1101 to prohibit the leasing of state-owned underwater coastal lands for oil and natural gas drilling and add a new section to prevent the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Office of General Services from authorizing leases that would result in the increase of oil or natural gas production from federal waters. In addition, the bill would amend the Transportation Corporations Law to restrict the powers of such corporations to develop pipelines associated with the delivery of natural gas or oil from the North Atlantic Planning Area.

“In order to protect our children, and all future generations, it’s crucial that we take steps NOW to protect our planet- especially the vital resources here in Rockaway and across the entire State,” said Pheffer Amato. “Passing this legislation takes a huge step towards a more sustaianbale future. Working to preserve our coastlines and all associated natural resources is essential to the long-term preservation and protection of our environment, economy, and our quality of life. I’m proud to have voted yes on this bill with my colleagues.” 

"Oil drilling operations are inherently dangerous and even more so in areas like the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Rockaway. Any type of accidental release during drilling operations would have devastating effects on the waters and coastal areas of Rockaway and Jamaica Bay,” Dan Mundy, President of the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers said. “After years of hard work the waters off of our coast are now cleaner then they have been in decades and whales, dolphins and seals can regularly be seen cruising through these waters, It is not a time to allow ocean drilling to threaten the gains we have made.The Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers commend Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato in taking the lead in protecting our coast from this threat and for helping to keep this fantastic natural resource safe."

“Huge thanks to Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato for working hard to keep off shore drilling away from our our shores here in Rockaway and the rest of NY State,” said John Cori, President of the Rockaway Beach Civic Association. “This bill will also help prevent Big Gas and Oil companies from laying miles of additional dangerous pipe lines just miles from where we live work and play.”

According to the sponsor’s memo: “Drilling off New York's Atlantic Coast has been off limits for decades and as a result, some of the State's laws regulating oil and natural gas drilling have not kept pace. This legislation would remedy that over- sight and prohibit the use of the State's underwater lands for drilling. Such a prohibition is in keeping with New York's coastal management practices, and also protects endangered and threatened species, such as the North Atlantic right whale, and the State's recreational and commercial fishing industries. In addition, this legislation, based in part on legislation from California, would prohibit DEC and OGS from providing leases that would result in the increase of oil or natural gas production from federal waters.”

The Senate passed the bill this afternoon.