Congressman Russell Fry from South Carolina’s 7th district has urged the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, to uphold the existing ban on offshore oil and gas leasing off the coast of South Carolina. This appeal comes in a letter where Fry highlights the importance of maintaining this moratorium.
The ban was originally instituted during President Trump’s first term through a memorandum that protected South Carolina’s coastline from offshore drilling projects. This decision aimed to safeguard both the environment and industries reliant on coastal preservation.
In his correspondence, Congressman Fry expressed alignment with American energy independence goals and supported President Trump’s broader energy agenda. However, he stressed that energy policies should be tailored to respect regional economic and environmental needs. South Carolina’s coast is critical to its economy, particularly for tourism and maritime sectors in Horry and Georgetown Counties.
“There is no question that America must unleash its domestic energy potential and cut red tape, and President Trump has my full support for his energy dominance agenda,” stated Congressman Fry. “At the same time, energy development must also be smart, balanced, and regionally appropriate. In many of our coastal communities in South Carolina, there is broad bipartisan opposition to offshore drilling. I urge Secretary Burgum to maintain the current exemption on offshore leasing off of South Carolina’s coast and ensure that our coastline continues to thrive for generations to come.”
Fry serves on both the House Energy and Commerce Committee as well as the House Judiciary Committee. He encourages constituents to follow his work through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X pages, or by visiting his official website at fry.house.gov.
