Hands Across the Sand is an international grassroots event that brings people together to oppose new offshore oil drilling, and promote a clean energy future that will help end our dependence on fossil fuels. Surfrider Foundation is an official sponsor and the event is a cornerstone of our Not the Answer campaign opposing offshore drilling. Last year we were thrilled to have 100,000 people participate.

The premise of the event is very simple: on June 25 at 12pm local time people will join hands for 15 minutes on beaches around the world to to champion clean energy solutions to our filthy fuels problem.

On April 20, registration will officially open at www.handsacrossthesand.com/. If you would like to be a site organizer(it’s very easy)  and have any questions please contact suncoast@surfrider.org, or pstauffer@surfrider.org

Yesterday, three different bills were introduced in Congress that would expand offshore drilling in the U.S (see below). These include the Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act which would overturn Obama’s recent decision to protect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska’s Bristol Bay from drilling through 2017

If you haven’t already, please participate in Surfrider’s ACTION ALERT and forward to others in your network http://action.surfrider.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=3114. This is the EASIEST way to communicate to your federal representative that you oppose new drilling off our coasts.

There is also a PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY open through tomorrow (March 31) on the 2012-2017 OCS Oil & Gas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping process. Surfrider is submitting comments as an organization, but we encourage individuals to do so, as well. See link and talking points below.

http://ocs5yeareis.anl.gov/involve/comments/index.cfm

Suggested Talking Points:
We support the Obama Administration’s recent decision to defer new offshore drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific, near Florida’s Gulf Coast, and in Alaska’s Bristol Bay until at least 2017. It’s critical we protect areas that have not been exposed to the risky practice of drilling–not only for the sake of the environment, but also to protect our economy from potential spills.
The Oil Spill Commission and the Obama administration have worked to ensure the oil industry is safer and more environmentally sensitive. We greatly appreciate these efforts, and we want to stress that the safest drilling is no drilling. We should work to protect our coasts permanently by reducing our oil dependence while transitioning to sustainable forms of energy.
Please consider not approving new leases in the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic until after Congress adopts the recommendations of the Oil Spill Commission (see above for important points).
For future oil exploration, please consider the harmful environmental impacts of seismic surveying; and equally consider alternatives to seismic testing that will exist in the near future

Chairman Hastings Introduces Three Bills to Increase Offshore American Energy Production, Create American Jobs

“These bills will directly reverse Obama Administration actions that have locked-up America’s vast offshore oil and natural gas resources”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of House Republicans’ American Energy Initiative, Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today introduced three separate bills to expand offshore energy production in order to create jobs, lower energy costs, generate revenue to help pay down the national debt, and improve national security by lessening our dependence on foreign energy.
Chairman Hastings is introducing the following bills: (Click titles for more information)
* The Putting the Gulf Back to Work Act would end the Obama Administration’s de facto moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico in a safe, responsible, transparent manner by setting firm time-lines for considering permits to drill, which provide certainty and allow employers and workers to get back on the job.

* The Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act would require the Obama Administration to move forward promptly to conduct offshore lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Virginia that the Obama Administration has delayed or canceled. Due to the Obama Administration’s actions, in 2011 there will be no offshore lease sales – the first time since 1958.

* The Reversing President Obama’s Offshore Moratorium Act would lift the President’s ban on new offshore drilling by requiring the Administration to move forward in the 2012-2017 lease plan with energy production in areas containing the most oil and natural gas resources.

“These bills will directly reverse Obama Administration actions that have locked-up America’s vast offshore oil and natural gas resources,” said Chairman Hastings.

The House of Representatives has passed a funding bill for the remainder of 2011 that launches an all out assault on our health and environment.   In coastal and inland communities alike, the Continuing Resolution H.R. 1 will result in dirtier air to breathe and dirtier water to drink and play in.

The Senate has the power to stop this attack and must vote on their version of the funding bill by March 4.  We need your help!

Tell your Senators to reject the House’s short-sighted bill, and instead pass a responsible bill that protects the clean water, clean air and livelihood of the American people.  Take action NOW!

Please tell Congress to support the No New Drilling Act. House Bill 261 would prohibit new offshore drilling in our ocean waters, including oil & gas exploration, development, and production.

Offshore drilling is an inherently risky activity that directly threatens the health our coastlines. The Presidential Oil Spill Commission recently reported that the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexcio was not a freak accident, but rather a product of systemic failure of both industry and government

Our nation’s coasts provide billions of dollars in economic revenue through recreation, tourism, and healthy seafood. We must protect these benefits from the risks of offshore drilling.

The Obama Administration recently announced that the Atlantic coast, the Pacific coast, and the eastern Gulf of Mexico would be protected from offshore drilling in the upcoming five year leasing plan. Now is the time to establish a permanent ban on all new offshore drilling activities through the passage of legislation.