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Freeport, The Bahamas, July 2, 2024 – Our Islands, Our Future (OIOF), a coalition of over 150 businesses, environmental groups, tourism advocates, and other Bahamian and international leaders, strongly opposes Challenger Energy Group’s recent suggestion that the Bahamian government may renew offshore drilling licenses that expired over three years ago. The coalition emphasizes that the government’s previous decision to halt consideration of these renewals sends a clear message: The Bahamas is shifting away from fossil fuels and embracing a sustainable energy future. 

“The fact that the government has not renewed or considered these licenses is a positive indication that The Bahamas is looking toward a cleaner, greener future,” said Andurah Daxon, Executive Director of Waterkeepers Bahamas. “We cannot afford to jeopardize our marine environment and coastal ecosystems for uncertain oil prospects.”

Earlier this year, OIOF commissioned a nationwide poll revealing overwhelming public support for a permanent ban on oil drilling in Bahamian waters. The extensive survey showed that 86% of respondents support legislative action to prevent further fossil fuel exploration, with 74% advocating for a transition to renewable energy. Of the more than 400 respondents, only 4% opposed a ban on oil drilling, and 9% were undecided. 

“The Bahamian people have spoken loud and clear. They want to protect our pristine waters and vibrant marine life, which are the lifeblood of our tourism and fishing industries,” said Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, Executive Director of the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF). The path forward for the Bahamas is not through fossil fuels but through sustainable energy solutions. The weekend oil spill in the waters off Clifton underscores the need to clean up the existing sources of marine pollution and transition to a renewable future. ”

Challenger Energy Group’s report cites “frustratingly slow” progress in renewing its licenses and points to past delays as the norm. However, OIOF believes these delays reflect the Bahamian government’s growing recognition of the critical need to protect the nation’s environmental and economic interests. 

Moreover, the exploration licenses CEG references expired in 2021, and based on available information, the company still owes government fees associated with those licenses. Therefore, the groups emphasize that it is dangerously misleading to state, “Challenger Energy holds four exploration licenses offshore in The Bahamas.” The group’s reason that this discrepancy further underscores the need for the government to take decisive action and permanently deny these renewal requests. 

“The government’s refusal to consider renewal based on non-payment of license fees was an important step, and three years have now gone by since those licenses expired,” said Chris Wilke of Waterkeeper Alliance.  “With Challenger still knocking at the door, a permanent ban on oil drilling would provide the strongest possible assurance of the Bahamian commitment to safeguarding the marine environment and a clean energy future.” 

The Bahamas has a unique opportunity to lead the Caribbean region in rejecting dirty fossil fuel proliferation, transitioning to renewable energy, and setting an example for sustainable development and environmental stewardship. OIOF urges the government to prioritize the long-term health and prosperity of the nation by formally denying the exploration renewal requests, rejecting any further oil exploration licenses and committing to a future powered by clean, renewable energy.