For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 18, 2014
Contact: Nicolette Nye, (202) 465-8463, nicolette@nullnoia.org
NOIA Comments on New BOEM Director
Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Randall Luthi today issued the following statement regarding selection of Abigail Hopper as Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM):
“NOIA congratulates Ms. Hopper, but we are concerned that the Secretary did not name a BOEM director with a broader range of all-of-the above energy experience.
While her background in renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, will certainly be an asset as BOEM’s offshore renewable energy program continues to show steady progress, we are hopeful that Ms. Hopper will recognize the importance of our nation’s offshore energy resources to America’s energy, economic and national security, especially as BOEM is in the midst of developing the 2017-2022 OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which has far reaching implications for America’s energy future.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for our country, as onshore energy development on state and private lands have shown the tremendous benefits that occur as a result of safe oil and natural gas development; it is imperative that Ms. Hopper and the Administration recognize the ability of our nation’s offshore energy resources to take our country to the next level with regard to America’s economic and energy security.
We are optimistic she will take her lead from Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Janice Schneider, who has a fair amount of experience working with the industry she is tasked with regulating. We look forward to working with Ms. Hopper and helping to expand her knowledge of the entire offshore energy industry, particularly offshore oil and natural gas exploration and production, which has the potential to provide annually by 2035, 3.5 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, $70 million to the U.S. economy, $38 million in revenue to the Federal and State governments and 840,000 jobs.”
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ABOUT NOIA
NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf. NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises more than 325 companies engaged in 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, and renewable energy.