Plan to open drilling off Pacific Northwest draws opposition

SEATTLE — The Trump administration’s proposal to expand offshore drilling off the Pacific Northwest coast is drawing vocal opposition.

The governors of Washington and Oregon and other top officials have slammed Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s plan to open 90 percent of the nation’s offshore reserves to development by private companies.

Opponents are speaking out Monday at their own organized hearing in Olympia ahead of an event hosted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to take public comment. Attorney General Bob Ferguson told dozens gathered that he will sue if the plan is approved.

In announcing the plan, Zinke said responsible development of offshore energy resources would boost jobs and economic security while providing billions of dollars to fund conservation along U.S. coastlines.

The plan proposes 47 leases off the nation’s coastlines from 2019 to 2024, including one off Washington and Oregon.

Oil industry groups have praised the plan, while environmental groups say it would harm America’s oceans, coastal economies, public health and marine life.