Obama’s Energy Strategy Doesn’t Go Far Enough

Announcing its “All-of-the-Above” energy strategy today, the Obama Administration rightfully celebrates the United States’ new position as the largest global producer of energy but fails to acknowledge Federal actions that could bring even more resources to market., National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) said today in a press announcement.

“NOIA shares the President’s conviction that domestic energy production, whether from wind, oil or natural gas, produce tremendous benefits for the nation. These come in the form of increased jobs, cheaper energy costs, increased manufacturing, and enhanced national energy security,” explains NOIA President Randall Luthi.

“Why then,” ponders Luthi, “has the Administration been content to let these tremendous gains accrue almost exclusively from private lands? Why is the Administration so content to let vast swaths of public lands remain off-limits to responsible development? Today’s report rightly points out the tremendous safety advances in offshore oil and natural gas production implemented since 2010, yet no additional acreage is under consideration for oil and natural gas development on the Outer Continental Shelf.“

“It is time for the Administration to step up with actions that complement the accolades it seeks for increased domestic energy production,” Luthi continued. “NOIA calls on President Obama to substantially increase the offshore acreage to be considered in the next 5-Year Leasing Plan, to expedite the permitting that will allow additional seismic surveys to move forward in the Atlantic, and to clear the regulatory hurdles that have delayed Arctic offshore energy exploration for over a decade.”

“It is encouraging to see that the Administration understands the benefits of increased domestic energy production. The next step is for the Federal government to maximize development of the resources on public lands, particularly offshore, securing our nation’s status as the world leader in oil and natural gas production for future generations.”

noia.org