Progress Florida

Thank Sen. Nelson For Opposing Seismic Testing

Despite the Deepwater Horizon disaster just five years ago, Big Oil is seeking to conduct seismic testing, the precursor to offshore oil drilling, off Florida’s eastern coast. Sen. Bill Nelson has introduced the Seismic Moratorium Act, which would halt seismic testing unless the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration deems such testing to be safe for sea life.

Add your name below and thank Sen. Nelson for defending Florida's coast, marine life, and our economy from Big Oil.

Sen. Nelson,

Thank you for introducing the Seismic Moratorium Act to protect marine life and effectively preclude any oil drilling off Florida's east coast. This is a critical step toward building a more sustainable, clean energy-based economy.

We know Big Oil lobbyists and their allies in Congress will be fighting this good bill every step of the way. Please know we support you in this important effort. Thank you again for your leadership in protecting Florida's coast.

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    Subject: No underwater explosions, no killing dolphins
    Five years ago, BP’s infamous rig Deepwater Horizon was spilling millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf, wreaking havoc on marine life, Florida’s economy, and our world famous beaches. The image of the rig engulfed in flames, beaches and birds smothered in oil filled our headlines for months, and painted a clear picture that offshore drilling is anything but clean and safe.

    Now, Big Oil is seeking to conduct seismic testing, the precursor to offshore oil drilling, off Florida’s eastern coast. Sen. Bill Nelson has introduced the Seismic Moratorium Act, which would halt seismic testing unless the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration deems such testing to be safe for sea life.

    Thank Sen. Nelson for standing up to Big Oil and defending Florida’s coastline, marine life and our tourism economy from another devastating oil spill.

    http://act.progressflorida.org/sign/nelson-drilling/?source=taf

    Seismic tests shoot compressed air blasts at the ocean floor, revealing what lies beneath the surface. The blasts, emitted every 10 seconds for several months at volumes rivaling jet engines, injure and kill sea animals, especially whales and dolphins.

    Loggerhead sea turtles migrating to their nesting beaches become disoriented and the sound of seismic airguns will disrupt fish migration and spawning, resulting in the death of fish eggs and larvae. That can seriously damage the fragile Atlantic food web so critical to our coastal economies.

    Sen. Nelson’s bill would effectively preclude oil drilling off Florida’s east coast (they won’t drill if they can’t see where the oil is). It’s a bold step in the right direction, especially as we work to transition to a clean energy economy.

    Please join us in thanking Sen. Nelson for his work defending Florida’s coast and our economy by expressing your support for his bill.

    http://act.progressflorida.org/sign/nelson-drilling/?source=taf

    Sen. Nelson will undoubtedly face an uphill battle against lobbyists and opponents in getting the bill passed, and will need all the support we can give him.