Drilling moratorium passes out of committee

One of the Oregon Conservation Network's Priorities for a Healthy Oregon passed out of committee this morning and will soon be up for a vote on the House Floor.

As amended, House Bill 3613 would implement a ten-year moratorium on offshore drilling in Oregon's territorial sea. If the bill becomes law, it would help to provide certainty and stability in coastal communities who depend on our state's robust fishing and tourism industries.

A broad-based coaltion of conservation groups, the fishing community and local businesses worked together on this bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Ben Cannon (D-Portland). Because this moratorium is consistent with Oregon's longtime committment to protecting our beaches and world-class coastal fishing and recreation, it should receive wide bi-partisan support in both chambers.