For Immediate Release:
Monday, September 21, 2009
Contact: Nicolette Nye
(202) 347-6900
Statement of NOIA President Tom Fry on the Closing of the Comment Period for the Draft Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program
President of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) Tom Fry issued the following statement on the closing of the comment period for the next Draft Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Leasing Program.
WASHINGTON, DC – “Now that the six month extension to the original commenting period has closed, the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) urges Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to promptly review the comments and consider and analyze all planning areas of the OCS as he prepares the proposed program and draft environmental impact statement.
“Today’s volatile energy prices and supplies have created many problems for ordinary Americans. In part, this is because the government has denied access to energy resources owned by the American people.
“The energy resources on the OCS are vital to the nation’s economic prosperity, and safety records show that they can be produced in an environmentally responsible manner.
“NOIA and its member companies have submitted their comments to the Minerals Management Service and look forward to participating in the next phase of this multi-step public process to determine where and when it makes the most sense to explore for and produce energy resources from the OCS.”
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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 energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf. The NOIA membership comprises more than 300 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.