Congress Seeking Comment Until Sep. 15th To Lift Ban on Offshore Drilling
the Bear at The Absurd Report on Sep 10 2008 at 11:38 am | Filed under: Energy Watch, Feature Article
From the U.S. Interior Department’s Minerals Management Service:
On July 30, 2008, Interior Secretary Kempthorne and I announced a major new energy initiative for the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Today’s action not only highlights the important role the OCS plays in meeting America’s energy needs — it will also open discussions across the country about how best to expand the nation’s domestic energy production.
In light of the current energy situation and President Bush’s lifting of the Executive Withdrawal, Secretary Kempthorne directed the MMS to begin the initial steps for developing a new Five-Year Program. We are, in effect, getting a two-year jumpstart on that process, but it is still a multi-step and multi-year effort to develop the program.
The current Five-Year Program took effect on July 1, 2007 at a time when oil was only $64 a barrel and does not contain many of the areas that were under Withdrawal and remain under Congressional ban. Should the Congressional ban be lifted, a new program would have to be developed to make those areas available. (07/31/2008)
I have learned that the Minerals Management Service (MMS) is collecting comments on its next five-year offshore leasing plan. The MMS – the federal agency responsible for administering the offshore oil and natural gas program – considers the size, timing, and location of the areas to be considered for federal leasing, and it bases its recommendations on the public’s comments. The plan is reviewed by Congress and approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
MMS is accepting public comments on its 2010-2015 plan until next Monday, September 15th.
Apparently several anti-drilling groups have called on their members to flood MMS with comments. Therefore, the majority of comments oppose new leases. Considering that numerous national polls have shown Americans support increased drilling, their comments do not reflect the nation’s sentiments.
Showing support for drilling via MMS can have an immediate impact on the next leasing plan and can send a message to lawmakers.
To send a letter to the MMS go to this website Partnership for America’s Energy Security and have your voise heard by Congress.
You want to fight against $4 gas prices then do something NOW! And I urge to send this notice out to your e-mail lists.
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Tags: Energy, Offshore Drilling, Oil
