COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation welcomed House lawmakers’ focus on the threats unfettered offshore drilling would pose to wildlife and coastal communities. The House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee is holding a hearing today on proposals from Congressman Joe Cunningham and others that would prevent drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

The legislation follows calls from all of the National Wildlife Federation’s Atlantic and Pacific coastal affiliates urging the Department of the Interior to scrap its widely expected plans to radically expand unfettered offshore oil and gas drilling along the coasts.

“From Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina’s coasts provide vital habitat and reprieve for wildlife, tourists and South Carolinians alike. A spill anywhere along our coast would be catastrophic for wildlife and our coastal communities,” said Sara Green, interim executive director at the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. “Congressman Cunningham is right to introduce this legislation and highlight why the risks of expanded offshore drilling are unacceptable.”

“Coastal governors and the Atlantic and Pacific coastal affiliates of the National Wildlife Federation have clearly said there is too much at stake for our economies, wildlife, and public health to push forward with unfettered offshore drilling. We applaud Congressman Cunningham and his colleagues for focusing on this critical issue,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We urge the House and Senate to take up this common-sense bill that codifies the wishes of the states by protects our irreplaceable coastal resources from future Taylor oil spills and Deepwater Horizon disasters.”