Rep. Markey (D-MA) introduced legislation today (H.R. 790) designed to prohibit oil and natural gas leasing and production in the Georges Bank, off the coast of Massachusetts. Georges Bank supports several of New England's largest fishing ports, including the nation's most productive port in New Bedford, Mass. Given that oil and gas leasing is no longer prohibited on the majority of the Outer Continental Shelf, coastal state members may be inclined to introduce measures prohibiting offshore development in specific areas, such as the Georges Bank. Read Rep. Markey's press release for more details. 

 

Similar legislation (H.R. 204) was introduced earlier this year by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) to prohibit drilling offshore Northern California.