Justin Williams, Author at NOIA

NOIA Applauds Committee Action on SPEED Act, Calls for Strong Offshore Permitting Certainty

November 20, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 20, 2025
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

NOIA Applauds Committee Action on SPEED Act, Calls for Strong Offshore Permitting Certainty

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee held its markup of the bipartisan Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act:

"By advancing the bipartisan SPEED Act, the House Natural Resources Committee is taking an important step toward real permitting certainty. We especially thank Representatives Golden and Stauber for their leadership on the permitting certainty amendment, and Chairman Westerman for his ongoing commitment to strengthening America’s permitting framework.

"For offshore energy, permitting certainty leads to investment certainty. Clear deadlines, transparent processes, and protections that help avoid needless vacatur of project approvals over minor procedural issues will unlock the long-term investments America needs in offshore oil and gas, wind, critical minerals, and emerging technologies. If permitting is unpredictable or open-ended, projects stall, costs rise, and investment goes elsewhere.

“Offshore energy companies are ready to invest at scale, supporting jobs, strengthening U.S. energy security, and building the infrastructure of a 21st-century, energy dominant America. We look forward to working with Congress as the SPEED Act moves forward to make permitting certainty a cornerstone of America’s energy and economic future.”

About NOIA
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.

Gulf of America Anchors America’s Energy Future in DOI Draft Proposed Program

November 20, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 20, 2025
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

Gulf of America Anchors America’s Energy Future in DOI Draft Proposed Program

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Department of the Interior issued the Draft Proposed Program for the next five year federal offshore oil and gas leasing program and issued Secretarial Order 3445 - Unleashing American Offshore Energy:

"The Gulf of America remains the gold standard for offshore energy: driving prolific production, supporting good-paying jobs, bolstering local and national supply chains, funding conservation programs nationwide, and anchoring U.S. energy security.

"While the Central and Western Gulf, now designated as GOA Program Area A, remain core areas for investment and energy production, a forward-looking approach that evaluates new areas ensures the U.S. remains competitive and secure in meeting future energy needs. Energy demand is on the rise and America’s offshore basins are a shining opportunity for U.S. competitiveness and leadership.

“Moreover, energy security is national security. The Gulf is an energy powerhouse, producing nearly 2 million barrels of oil per day with production recognized as among the lowest carbon intensity in the world. A clear leasing schedule gives companies the certainty to invest, strengthens supply chains, bolsters communities, and keeps the U.S. competitive in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape

“We commend Secretary Burgum and the Department of the Interior for taking this important step to fix a leasing program that was wholly insufficient. We look forward to working with policymakers to ensure the Gulf continues to lead America’s energy future.”

About the Draft Proposed Program
Under the new proposal for the 2026–2031 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, Interior includes as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales across 21 of 27 existing Outer Continental Shelf planning areas, covering approximately 1.27 billion acres. That includes 21 areas off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of America, and six along the Pacific coast. The proposal also includes the Secretary’s decision to create a new administrative planning area, the South-Central Gulf of America. See Figures 2-5 in the Draft Proposed Program for the maps of lease sales in specific planning areas.

To learn more about the Gulf of America's role in anchoring U.S. energy leadership, visit GulfofAmericaForward.com

NOIA Applauds Bipartisan Permitting Certainty Amendment to SPEED Act

November 20, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 20, 2025
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

NOIA Applauds Bipartisan Permitting Certainty Amendment to SPEED Act

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee cleared a bipartisan permitting certainty amendment to the SPEED Act by voice vote during committee mark up:

"We applaud the House Natural Resources Committee for advancing this important permitting certainty amendment to the SPEED Act. We especially thank Representatives Golden and Stauber for their bipartisan leadership in championing the amendment, and Chairman Westerman for his continued commitment to strengthening America’s permitting framework. The amendment’s passage by voice vote is a meaningful step forward providing greater confidence in U.S. investments and reducing the risk of needless delays. This is the type of practical, bipartisan progress that keeps America competitive.”

Interior Department Advances First OBBBA Offshore Lease Sales

November 7, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 7, 2025
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

Interior Department Advances First OBBBA Offshore Lease Sales

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released the Final Notice of Sale for Big Beautiful Gulf 1 and the Proposed Notice of Sale for Big Beautiful Cook Inlet 1:

"BOEM’s actions are an important step forward in responsibly developing our offshore energy resources. Moving ahead with the first lease sales under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act gives companies the certainty they need to invest, which sustains jobs and strengthens U.S. energy and national security. In the global competition for energy, the Gulf of America provides among the lowest carbon intensity barrels for purposes of supplying the U.S. economy and our allies with a secure source of energy.

"And this isn’t just about the Gulf of America or Alaska; these lease sales have an impact across the country. Offshore energy supports workers and supply chains in every state, and the revenues generated fund programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund, delivering resources to coastal and urban communities nationwide. With these sales moving forward, America’s offshore energy frontier continues to anchor our economy, strengthen national security, and support communities in all 50 states."

About NOIA
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.

Introducing NOIA’s Gulf of America Forward: A Strategic Vision for America’s Energy Future

October 24, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Friday, October 24, 2025
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

NOIA Launches Gulf of America Forward - New Report and Website Highlight the Region’s Role in America’s Energy Future

Washington, D.C. - National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) today released Gulf of America Forward, a comprehensive new report and digital platform showcasing the Gulf of America as one of the world’s most valuable and dynamic offshore energy regions, a critical engine of innovation, economic strength, and national security.

Available now at gulfofamericaforward.com and in full report format here, the report details how the Gulf continues to lead the world in responsible offshore energy production, delivering some of the lowest-carbon barrels globally while driving accessible, high-wage jobs across all 50 states.

“The Gulf of America is not a legacy asset, it’s a strategic platform for America’s energy leadership,” said NOIA President Erik Milito. “It gives our nation a crucial edge in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. As global demand rises, driven by population growth, AI-powered data centers, electrification, and industrial expansion, the Gulf of America is uniquely positioned to meet that challenge. With world-class reserves, advanced technology, a highly skilled workforce, and strong environmental stewardship, it delivers secure, affordable, and lower-emission energy to Americans and our allies.”

“The Gulf of America also serves as a gateway for emerging energy sources, from offshore wind and carbon storage and deep sea mining to next-generation exploration, development and production innovation. Together, these technologies create additive benefits that strengthen our nation’s energy security and global competitiveness. With the right policies in place, the Gulf’s potential is far from reaching its limit, in fact, the Gulf of America is just getting started.”

Key Takeaways from Gulf of America Forward:

Energy Leadership: The Gulf produces over 15% of U.S. oil and stands as the global benchmark for safe, efficient offshore energy development. As worldwide demand for oil and natural gas continues to grow, the Gulf of America remains a premier energy region, providing dependable, lower-emission energy that supports America’s allies and strengthens its economic foundation.
Lifting Society & Improving Quality of Life: Affordable and reliable energy is the backbone of modern life. As power demand rises through the expansion of the global middle class and the growth of AI and hyperscale data centers, the Gulf of America provides stable, accessible energy that fuels transportation, supports manufacturing and agriculture, and helps keep costs low for working families and small businesses.
Economic Impact: The Gulf’s offshore industry supports more than 400,000 jobs nationwide and contributes over $36 billion annually to U.S. GDP. Billions of dollars from energy production in the Gulf flow annually to the U.S. Treasury as well as hundreds of millions to coastal states. Revenues generated by offshore energy fund critical national priorities, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which funds parks and public lands across the country.
Environmental Stewardship: The Gulf’s offshore operations produce some of the lowest-carbon barrels in the world, supported by industry-leading technology and decades of environmental progress. Through the Rigs to Reefs program, hundreds of decommissioned platforms have become thriving marine habitats, turning the Gulf into one of the world’s most successful examples of sustainable offshore development.
National Security: The Gulf of America anchors America’s energy independence and maritime strength. Its production ensures that the U.S. and its allies have access to secure, domestically produced energy, insulating the nation from global supply disruptions and hostile regimes. Offshore infrastructure and shipyards in the Gulf also directly support energy security operations and maritime dominance, reinforcing America’s strategic advantage in the world.
Innovation for the Future: Gulf expertise is fueling progress in next-generation offshore energy, from carbon capture and storage (CCS) to offshore hydrogen, wind, and even deep-sea mineral development. The Gulf’s combination of infrastructure, research, and workforce makes it the ideal proving ground for the technologies that will define the next chapter of global energy innovation.

The report calls for consistent offshore lease sales, efficient permitting, and forward-looking regulatory frameworks to ensure the Gulf continues powering American prosperity for decades to come.

For more information and to access the full report, visit gulfofamericaforward.com or download the report directly at here.