NOIA Statement on Secretary Ryan Zinke’s Resignation

NOIA Statement on Secretary Ryan Zinke's Resignation

Washington, D.C. – In response to the announcement that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will leave his office at the end of the year, Randall Luthi, President of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), made the following statement:

"The long-established Washington political grinder claimed another victim with the announced departure of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. From our perspective, Secretary Zinke accomplished much in a relatively short time.

“Upon his confirmation in March, 2017, the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) called upon Secretary Zinke to promote policies that both maintain access in current offshore development areas and increase the offshore areas available for sensible oil and natural gas exploration; he did so tirelessly. Within weeks of his appointment, a new 5-year offshore leasing program was initiated; a next draft plan is expected out shortly.  In addition, under Zinke’s watch, regulations that unnecessarily overburdened the offshore energy industry were re-evaluated, including unrealistic financial assurance regulations and well control regulations which included provisions that would decrease rather than increase offshore safety; both are expected to be announced in the near future.  Zinke also directed the re-organization of the Interior Department, a 70,000-plus person bureaucracy, a herculean effort in itself.

“Good policies make good neighbors and good fences make even better neighbors.  Under Zinke’s leadership, the Department was not only a better neighbor and partner to the millions of people who work, depend upon and recreate on Federal lands, but also made great strides in showing when to reach across the fence lines between public and private interests to move energy and conservation policies forward, and just as importantly, when not to mandate to states and individuals.

“NOIA wishes Secretary Zinke the best in his future endeavors and looks forward to working with the next Secretary of the Interior to promote clear, fair and consistent policies for offshore energy development and conservation.”