NOIA Applauds Lifting of Offshore Leasing Moratoria

For Immediate Release                                                                                        

Contact:  Michael Kearns or Nicolette Nye at  (202) 347-6900

NOIA Applauds Lifting of Offshore Leasing Moratoria

Washington, DC -- As the President signed into law today the continuing resolution to ensure the federal government's funding, the National Ocean Industries (NOIA) applauded the decision by the Congress and the President to let lapse the 26-year long ban on offshore energy development. 

“For years now, NOIA has been arguing that a blanket prohibition on the nation’s vital offshore energy resources is simply poor public policy. Intentionally closing our eyes and refusing to even look for what may lie off our coasts seems willfully irresponsible, especially as energy prices rise and consumers feel the pinch,” said NOIA President Tom Fry.

“We are pleased that these rigid prohibitions have now been removed,” continued Fry.

“Now, as a nation, we are free to engage in an actual policy debate over where it is and is not appropriate to explore for and produce oil and natural gas from our offshore reservoirs.  There is already an extensive public process to solicit input from companies, individuals, state leaders and environmental organizations.  This debate will now be that much more robust since 85% of the lower 48’s OCS is no longer simply closed off from consideration.”

“We look forward to working with all sectors of the public to find and produce vital domestic energy resources from the OCS in a safe and environmentally-responsible manner,” Fry concluded.

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The National OceanIndustries Association  is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of resources on the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises more than 300 companies engaged in numerous business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance.