For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 31, 2021
NOIA Contact: Justin Williams, (202) 465-8464 |
jwilliams@nullnoia.org
GOMESA Funding Depends on Continued Gulf of Mexico Oil & Gas Leasing
Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Department of the Interior announced that Gulf Coast states will receive nearly $249 million in FY2020 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) funding, a decrease of about $104 million from the prior year.
"GOMESA provides critical funding for coastal resiliency and restoration, hurricane mitigation, flood prevention and other vital projects for Gulf Coast states. Thanks to Gulf of Mexico oil and gas production, Gulf of Mexico communities will have close to $250 million invested back into the region, funding that does not burden individual taxpayers.
"Federal policies that embrace continued exploration and development of the Gulf of Mexico are critical in ensuring future funding for Gulf Coast communities, our national parks, conservation efforts throughout the country, and outdoor programs for urban, disadvantaged neighborhoods. Without continued Gulf of Mexico oil and gas leasing, the important revenue that Gulf Coast states and other Americans depend upon will decline. The U.S. offshore energy industry leads the way in innovation and emissions reductions efforts, with offshore oil and gas development providing the lowest carbon barrels of oil among oil producing regions."