Actor Ted Danson, a member on Oceana’s Board of Directors, was testifying before Congress on Capitol Hill yesterday about the importance of reinstating the lapsed moratorium on offshore oil drilling.

Danson’s appeal came just a day after there was a review ordered on the controversial Bush Administration’s plan to open vast tracts of the Outer Continental Shelf to oil and gas drilling.

The 26-year-old ban on drilling in over 85 percent of the Outer Continental Shelf, including Atlantic, Pacific and Alaskan waters was allowed to expire under the Bush Administration last October. Now, Congress is deciding whether to reinstate the ban or place new limits on off-shore drilling. The major concern for anti-drilling activists such as Danson is to make sure that the moratorium for offshore drilling is reinstated. Approximately 120 million gallons of oil are discharged into the world’s oceans each year.

“Oil and water simply don’t mix,” said Danson. “While not intentional, oil spills do happen and they harm everything from the smallest ocean organisms to the largest predators in the sea.”

Danson also stressed the importance of clean and carbon-free energy, such as offshore wind and solar power. According to recent estimates, the offshore wind industry could generate nearly $950 billion in economic activity and more than 250,000 jobs over the next 20 years.

Philippe Cousteau, grandson of Jean Jacques Cousteau and Member of the Ocean Conservancy, also joined Danson.

If we do not reinstate this moratorium “there is essentially no protection for land that may carry oil” and we will “perpetuate the belief that we can drill our way to energy independence” Danson commented.

Cousteau argued that “the next 50 years are crucial in oceanic protection” and “since the united states has taken a leading role in the environmental protection movement we must reinstate the moratorium to maintain this role.”