The governors Washington, Oregon and California again wrote to President Bush Monday, opposing any efforts in the federal government to weaken offshore oil/gas drilling bans. Early last month, Govs. Christine Gregoire (WA), Theodore Kulongoski (OR) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA) announced a partnership they said was forged to protect the Pacific Coast.

“For the last 25 years, Congress has protected our coasts with the moratorium, and we believe it should remain in place in perpetuity,” the governors wrote.

Called the West Coast Partnership of Ocean Health, the Sept. 18 pact was called “an historic partnership” to address critical ocean and coastal protection. The three states in the agreement committed to working collaboratively to “reduce offshore energy impacts, ensure clean coastal waters, restore ocean and coastal habitats and foster sustainable economic development” throughout the West Coast.

“We are dedicated to working with you [President Bush] and Congress to develop positive solutions to our energy needs that do not involve the unacceptable impacts of offshore drilling,” Govs. Gregoire, Kulongoski and Schwarzenegger wrote in a letter addressed to the President. They end the letter with a statement about being willing to meet with the President.

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