Pallone said an oil spill off the Atlantic Coast would be devastating to coastal communities in New Jersey and up and down the Atlantic. Tourism season is here, the last thing we need is an oil spill, Pallone said.
According to figures that he provided, the Jersey Shore is home to over $700 billion in coastal properties, and the tourism industry generates almost half a million jobs, nearly 10% of New Jersey’s entire workforce. New Jersey’s commercial fishing industry generates over $7.9 billion annually, supporting over 50,000 jobs.
Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, who attended the press conference held at the Asbury Park boardwalk, said the future is clean electric energy.