Governor Cuomo Bans Offshore Drilling in New York

Newsday is reporting that Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that bans all offshore drilling in New York's waters. Cuomo had a little extra help Monday when world famous musician Billy Joel joined him at the Jones Beach Theater as the bill was signed into legislation.

Joel, who lives in Oyster Bay, took a personal interest in the new law. The "Piano Man" has backed Cuomo on a number of environmental issues in the past that pertain to New York.

Cuomo said at the event:

Today's bill says no how, no way are you going to drill the coast off Long Island and New York. It's not going to happen as long as we are in charge of this state.

Newsday says that the bill was first sponsored by State Senator Todd Kaminsky of Long Beach and Assemblyman Steven Englebright of Setauket and was later approved by the State Legislature in February.

Another huge factor for the signing, aside from potential environmental damage, was the hit the fishing and tourism industries could take which could lead to thousands of jobs lost.

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