NOIA Comments on Secretary Salazar’s ”Smart from the Start” Initiative for Offshore Renewables

For Immediate Release:                                            Contact:  Nicolette Nye

Tuesday, November 23, 2010                                          (202) 347-6900          

NOIA Comments on Secretary Salazar’s ”Smart from the Start” Initiative for Offshore Renewables  

WASHINGTON, DC – NOIA President Randall Luthi today issued the following statement in response to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s “Smart from the Start” initiative for offshore renewables.

“I applaud Secretary Salazar’s “Smart from the Start” initiative to fast-track offshore renewables.  Offshore renewables hold much promise in the very long-term energy portfolio. However, wouldn’t it be equally smart to recognize that the nation needs all forms of offshore energy to help fuel our cars, homes, businesses and economy and to achieve domestic energy security?  By all means, make haste on the smart deployment of offshore renewable energy projects. But let’s not lose sight of the fact that while offshore renewables are not yet up and running on the OCS, offshore oil and gas is. If Interior would prove itself as committed to the efficient and timely permitting for offshore oil and gas projects with a proven track record of safe operations, we could get the permits we need to produce more oil and gas and provide more jobs today.”  

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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.  The NOIA membership comprises more than 270 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.