The new campaign launching this week on conservative news/talk stations in the Gulf States will educate residents to make them aware that under current law, BP fines for the oil spill will go to the federal treasury, unless Congress takes action to dedicate the money to restoration in the Gulf.
The campaign, sponsored by the Gulf Renewal Project, follows its release of new polling last week showing that 83% of voters nationwide support—and 69% strongly support—dedicating the BP oil spill penalties to restoring the Mississippi River Delta and Gulf Coast. The poll showed that an overwhelming majority of conservative voters favor this proposal, including 76% (60% strongly) of Republicans, and 78% (62% strongly) of voters who agree with the Tea Party movement.
The Gulf Renewal Project is formed from a coalition including the Environmental Defense Fund, National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Ocean Conservancy, Oxfam America, and The Nature Conservancy.
Several Democratic and Republican members of Congress from the Gulf region have introduced legislation to dedicate these penalties to Gulf restoration.
“Voters across all party lines all over the nation agree that BP’s fines for the oil spill belong in the Gulf. We need Gulf leaders to get together and get restoration done for the region’s environment and economy this spring,” said a statement from the Gulf Renewal Project.
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Gulf Renewal Project Radio Ad: |
The ad copy:
“One year ago, the BP oil well blowout dumped millions of barrels of oil into our Gulf Coast waters.
It caused major damage to wildlife, and our fishing, and tourism industries.
This unprecedented environmental and economic disaster could cost our region’s tourism industry alone $23 billion in lost revenues, according to one study.
And nearly nine out of 10 voters polled in the Gulf states agree that the health of our coastal environment affects the health of our economy.
Yet, one year after the biggest oil spill in U.S. history, Congress still has not passed legislation to dedicate the oil spill penalties to restoring our coast’s environment and economy.
And unless Congress takes action, the oil spill fines could be diverted to other things.
Congress must get together, and get it done now, by passing legislation to dedicate the BP oil spill penalties to restoring our coast’s environment and economy.
Paid for by the Gulf Renewal Project.”
The ads air 4/25-4/29 during morning and afternoon drive time on 22 stations in 18 markets in the five Gulf states:
ALABAMA
Mobile
WAVH-106.5 FM
FLORIDA
Pensacola
WCOA 1370 AM
WNRP 1620 AM
Ft. Myers
WFSX 1240AM
WGUF-98.9FM
Gainesville
WSKY-97.3FM
Miami
WIOD-610AM
Panama City
WFLF-94.5FM
Punta Gorda
WCCF-1580AM
Tallahassee
WFLA-100.7FM
Tampa
WFLA-970AM
LOUISIANA
Baton Rouge
WJBO-1150AM
Lafayette
KPEL-96.5FM
Lake Charles
KAOK-1400AM
New Orleans
WRNO-99.5FM
WWL-870AM/105.3FM
MISSISSIPPI
Biloxi
WBUV-104.9FM
TEXAS
Beaumont
KLVI-560AM
Corpus Christi
KEYS-1440AM
KKTX-1360AM
Harlingen
KURV-710AM
Houston
KPRC-950AM
