"Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said last week that he is against gas drilling off Maryland’s coast, and as President Trump’s administration considers seismic testing to search for energy reserves, state officials are asking the federal government to more closely study its impact.

The Trump administration last month sought permission under federal wildlife protection laws to use loud air guns to collect data on potential sites for offshore oil and gas production.

'I’m not in favor of offshore drilling,' Hogan told reporters Thursday, adding that there are many hurdles before it could come close to reality.

He had not previously taken a public stance on offshore drilling, which had been shelved under President Barack Obama. Hogan has sometimes declined to weigh in on Trump policies."

Scott Dance reports for the Washington Post July 9, 2017. [2]