The Obama administration has decided against offshore drilling along southeast coastal areas.
And the announcement was hailed by environmentalists as a major victory.
The Assateague Coastal Trust issued a statement in which they said this was the result of a major effort by the coastal communities to speak out against oil and natural gas development.
The Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said that the decision would protect the sensitive areas while safely developing the nation’s energy resources.
Many coastal towns expressed concerns over offshore drilling including the impact on the environment and tourism.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that John Doerfler, chair of the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation’s Delaware Chapter, said the decision would keep tourism intact while benefiting the state’s economy in general.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that there were also concerns at NASA’s flight facility on Wallops Island over its effect on rocket launches.
