T-Ridge Drilling Bill Dies State Assembly

A bill to ban offshore drilling of Tranquillon Ridge from state waters died Tuesday night in a 29-36 vote in the State Assembly. Proposed by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, the bill would have eliminated an exception in state law that allows new leases to be issued if federal operations are depleting reserves under state waters three miles off the coast. Tranquillon is the only formation where this drainage occurs. Sunset Exploration, in partnership with ExxonMobil, has been eager to drill in the region for a decade, though any new oil projects will likely take years to begin. Jackson said in a statement she was “disappointed” but will “remain committed to protecting this area.”