Gov. Roy Cooper says he'll keep fighting efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to expand oil and gas exploration off the Atlantic coast, saying such drilling "represents a critical threat" to the state's coastal economy.
Cooper responded Thursday to news that the federal government is considering increasing offshore energy development starting in 2019. He said in a release his administration "will pursue every option" to prevent drilling near the state's beaches, fishing waters and coastal communities.
The governor last summer announced opposition to expanded coastal oil and gas exploration. Last month, a state regulatory agency asked companies to provide more information about the potential environmental impact of development.
State Republican legislative leaders generally back offshore exploration, as did Cooper's predecessor, Republican Pat McCrory.