For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Contact: Nicolette Nye, (202) 465-8463, nicolette@nullnoia.org
NOIA Statement on Secretarial Announcement Regarding Florida Offshore Waters
Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Randall Luthi issued the following statement on Secretary Zinke’s announcement regarding Florida offshore waters:
“The announcement by the Secretary that he is considering limiting areas offshore Florida is disappointing and premature. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) clearly outlines a deliberative, inclusive and lengthy review process before any preliminary leasing proposals are finalized. The conversation to be had around the draft proposed offshore leasing plan should include modern technology, science and America’s energy demand and security. Namely, today’s advanced offshore technology allows exploration to take place miles away from coastal communities and with very limited surface installations or visual impact. Science and decades of experience show that oil and natural gas exploration and development is not only compatible, but is complementary with tourism, fishing and enhancement of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.
“Removing areas offshore Florida this early in the planning process prematurely curtails dialogue and thorough study of the possibilities for future development of offshore resources that could provide additional energy and jobs for working Floridians. In addition, for a state whose tourism economy is dependent on a secure and affordable transportation fuel supply, failure to secure domestic production and supply of fuels actually is a greater economic risk than offshore development.
“The Secretary’s announcement has not eliminated the need for a comprehensive dialogue about America’s long-term offshore energy promise. Through the OCSLA process, as initiated by the Secretary, all stakeholders are given the opportunity to comment. Having heard from the Governor of Florida, we look forward to commenting and sharing our views on what resources, owned by the American people, should be open and considered for exploration and production.”
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ABOUT NOIA
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. NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises about 250 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, and renewable energy.