Whereas, all Americans are suffering from record high energy prices; and
Whereas, a federal legislative moratorium prohibits oil and natural gas drilling, exploration, and production on the outer continental shelves (OCS); and
Whereas, coastal states should have the right to determine on their own whether such drilling, exploration, and production should be permitted along their coasts; and
Whereas, according to the United States Department of Interior, there are an estimated 86 billion barrels worth of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas on the OCS[i]; and
Whereas, Congress should eliminate policies, such as the OCS moratorium, which artificially limit oil and natural gas supply and thereby increases energy prices; and
Whereas, lower energy costs and more reliable energy markets in the United States would promote economic growth and prosperity; and
Whereas, coastal states would share in significant revenue from OCS leases; and
Whereas, offshore oil drilling would lead to significant job growth for coastal communities; and
Whereas, the United States Department of Energy has stated “Advanced, more energy-efficient drilling and production methods practically eliminate spills from offshore platforms.”[ii]
Therefore, be it resolved, that the American Legislative Exchange Council strongly urges Congress to end the OCS moratorium and give coastal states the authority to determine whether offshore drilling should be permitted along their coast.
Approved by the ALEC Board of Directors on September 11, 2008
[i] Offshore Energy & Minerals Management (OEMM), The Minerals Management Service, http://www.mms.gov/offshore/, July 30, 2008.
[ii] “National Energy Policy,” United States Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, p. 5-5, May 2001, http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/press/2001/nep/chapter5.pdf.
Keyword Tags: drilling, Energy, natural gas, oil