NOIA Welcomes House Passage of H.R. 1 – Advancing American Energy Should Be a Hallmark of Congress

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 30, 2023
NOIA Contact: media@nullnoia.org
NOIA Welcomes House Passage of H.R. 1 -
Advancing American Energy Should Be a Hallmark of Congress
Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act

“We need to look no further than the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and our offshore areas to achieve the policy goals critical to our nation’s sustained success. The Gulf of Mexico is characterized by low carbon emissions and is consistently solving, scaling, and deploying new solutions to further improve emissions performance. Importantly, the offshore provisions in the Lower Energy Costs Act recognize the U.S. Gulf of Mexico region as a premier energy region.

“Finding ways to support affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy here at home should always be a legislative priority. Smart energy policy can be embraced by energy advocates and climate advocates alike. American energy abundance is a path towards economic and energy security and climate progress. H.R. 1 will serve to inject much need certainty and predictability for U.S. energy production from all sources and will specifically promote opportunities for investment and job creation for the offshore sector.

"NOIA thanks Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Chairman Bruce Westerman, Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chairman Sam Graves, and their staff for their work in developing energy solutions of national – and global – importance. NOIA also thanks Congressmen Garret Graves and Jerry Carl for ensuring this legislation addresses critical permitting issues affecting Gulf communities and businesses, along with Congressmen Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez for their support of common-sense, bipartisan energy solutions. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress to advance common-sense energy and climate policies."

Following are key offshore energy provisions advocated by NOIA included in the Lower Energy Costs Act:
  • Interior is required to conducted two region-wide Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sales per year;
  • Each Federal offshore oil and gas leasing program will include at least two Gulf of Mexico region-wide lease sales per year;
  • The next Federal offshore oil and gas leasing program is to be released no later than July 1, 2023;
  • Each subsequent offshore oil and gas leasing program is to be approve no later than 180 days before the expiration of the previous leasing program;
  • Modernizes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA);
  • Regulatory certainty by explicitly authorizing the common practice of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits and providing for continuances during times of administrative delay;
  • Seismic surveys authorizations are to be issued within 30 days of receipt of a completed application; and
  • Offshore oil and gas lease sales cannot be vacated unless a court rules the challenged lease will pose a risk of “imminent and substantial” environmental harm.
##
About NOIA 
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.
National Ocean Industries Association
1120 G Street, NW • Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202.347.6900 | Email: media@nullnoia.org