On October 1, 2008 Congress lifted the decades long ban on offshore drilling on the U.S. Outer Contented Shelf (OCS). Unfortunately, one year later, Americans are still waiting for expanded oil and gas production.
Republicans on the House Natural Resources Committee marked today’s anniversary by calling on the Obama Administration to end its defacto ban on offshore drilling and create new American energy jobs:
"As unemployment approaches ten percent, Republicans have regularly reminded President Obama and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar that expanded domestic energy development would deliver tremendous economic benefits to the American people…But, in light of the recent news that Iran has constructed a second nuclear facility, it’s critical that the Administration also view its current energy policy through the prism of national security…When our country has its own rich oil and natural gas resources, we should not have to even think about unpredictable threats from mad men, tyrants and dictators who control access to a significant portion of the world’s oil supply."– Ranking Member Doc Hastings (WA-04)
"While millions of Americans are out of work, the Obama Administration continues to block the creation of high paying jobs in the energy sector. According to a study by the American Energy Alliance, drilling in the OCS would generate $8 trillion in total economic output and create 1.2 million jobs annually across the country. We must take aggressive steps to end our dependence on foreign oil by tapping our domestic resources. I urge the administration to stop dragging their feet and move forward on energy production."–Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee Ranking Member Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
"Millions of Americans depend on OCS oil and gas production for their livelihood and every American depends on it for transportation. In my state, over 320,000 Louisianans work in the energy industry, generating around $12 billion a year in household income...Congress and the American people clearly expressed their support for more OCS energy production when the moratorium was lifted. Increasing domestic energy production will lead to economic growth, job creation, and greater energy security. It is essential that the U.S. move forward with OCS energy production as part of an all-of-the-above energy plan." – Congressman Bill Cassidy (LA-06)
"Today marks the one year anniversary of the expiration of the congressional moratoria on offshore and oil shale drilling. Unfortunately, it’s a year later, and we still haven’t made significant progress with domestic energy sources and continue to find ourselves just as reliant on foreign energy. The outer continental shelf contains the equivalent of nearly 130 years worth of imports from Saudi Arabia – yet America’s lawmakers irresponsibly refuse to open it up for exploration." – Congressman Paul Broun (GA-10)
