Three of New Jersey's federal lawmakers — U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Cory Booker and U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone — asked the Obama administration to talk to the state's residents before deciding whether to allow oil drilling in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Democratic lawmakers made their request in a letter to Walter Cruickshank, acting director of the U.S. Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the agency developing 2017-22 energy plan that could include selling leases to drill for oil and gas off the Atlantic Coast.

"In order to ensure that you hear all sides of the story, we write to invite you to visit the state," the lawmakers wrote. "We would be pleased to help facilitate a meeting between you and representatives of our shore businesses, local fishermen, and community groups that fight to keep our beaches clean.''

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