NOIA Questions Misguided Efforts of Environmental Coalition

For Immediate Release:                            Contact:  Nicolette Nye

Thursday, June 9, 2011                               (202) 347-6900          

NOIA Questions Misguided Efforts of Environmental Coalition

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Randall Luthi today issued the following statement questioning efforts by an environmental coalition to block the safe development of offshore oil and natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico:

“The last two days could hardly have provided a more stark contrast when it comes to America’s energy future. Yesterday, a major new discovery was announced in the Gulf of Mexico with the promise of new home grown oil and gas that would increase our energy security and provide jobs.  Today, we see a joint effort by several environmental groups to use the courts to prohibit oil and gas development in one of the only two offshore areas open in the United States for exploration and development. 

“Since the Macondo well accident, the entire offshore energy industry has worked tirelessly to assure that all exploration and development is done in accordance with new federal safety rules and additional safety reviews put in place by industry. 

“Yet, the Plaintiff environmental groups are in an all out sprint to prevent the nation from safely realizing the potential of these vast domestic oil and gas resources off our Gulf Coast.  These are the same types of artificial roadblocks we have seen in Alaska. 

“With unemployment and gas prices remaining high, we stand at a crossroads.  We strongly encourage policymakers in Congress and the administration to proactively stand in opposition to these misguided efforts to obstruct the safe exploration and development of our offshore oil and gas and stand up for energy reliability and affordability while providing jobs to America.”

   ###

NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the safe 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.