Lease Sales Archives

Central Atlantic Wind Lease Sale Drives Growth in U.S. Offshore Wind

August 14, 2024 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 14, 2024
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

Central Atlantic Wind Lease Sale Drives Growth in U.S. Offshore Wind,
More Offshore Energy Leasing Certainty and Normalcy is Needed

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the conclusion of the Central Atlantic wind lease sale which yielded nearly $93 million for two lease blocks:

"Offshore wind continues to show a highly favorable long-term trend. The industry is growing, with companies investing in communities, jobs, and the supply chain. The lease area in Maryland and Delaware saw a substantial increase in bid amounts, multiplying several times over compared to a decade ago. Similarly, the lease area offshore Virginia has fetched significantly higher prices than similar leases did just a few years ago.

"The Central Atlantic wind lease sale can sustain the momentum of American offshore wind, which has matured significantly, creating jobs and driving investments across many states, extending well beyond those adjacent to new wind farms. Continued wind lease sales will further build out the supply chain, making the industry more competitive and routine. Over the past 12 months, the first utility-scale U.S. offshore wind farm began producing energy, the first American-built offshore wind substation was launched, and the first American-built, owned, and crewed offshore wind service operations vessel was christened. Additionally, three supporting crew transfer vessels were delivered.

"However, Washington needs to do more to maintain this momentum. This will be the first year without a federal offshore oil and gas lease sale since 1958. After this December, the Interior cannot hold any more offshore wind lease sales until another offshore oil and gas sale is held. The current leasing reality is begging for a Congressional fix to provide much-needed regulatory certainty and normalcy for both offshore oil and gas and wind lease sales.

"Securing new leases is vital for exploring and developing resources crucial to our nation. Periods of inactivity in lease sales only serve to heighten uncertainty and risk pushing investment dollars overseas. Sustaining regular lease sales ensures energy continuity, fosters economic growth and the development of new supply chains, and keeps the United States competitive in the global energy market."

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.

Congressman Graves Introduces BRIDGE Production Act to Strengthen American Energy Outlook

October 27, 2023 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Friday, October 27, 2023
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

BRIDGE Production Act Strengthens American Energy Outlook

Washington, D.C. - National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement after Representative Garret Graves (R-LA)'s Bringing Reliable Investment into Domestic Gulf Energy (BRIDGE) Production Act of 2023 cleared the House Natural Resources Committee:

“NOIA thanks Congressman Graves for his steadfast leadership in championing energy solutions that will uplift every American. The U.S. Gulf of Mexico stands as a premier energy region, yet the Biden administration's delay in promulgating a new leasing program and conducting the requisite environmental work for new lease sales has created an unnecessary multi-year gap in lease opportunities. The leasing gap is emerging at a time marked by resurgent energy inflation and increasing competition from higher-emitting nations like Russia and China.

“Backing offshore energy, particularly in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, signifies a clear path to sustaining American energy security and should remain a bipartisan priority for Congress. The lingering uncertainty surrounding future lease sales in this region poses a real threat to the energy, economic, and environmental benefits that the Gulf has generously provided to our nation for decades. The BRIDGE Production Act will remedy that and promises to inject much-needed certainty and predictability into U.S. energy production.

“We urge Congress to swiftly take action to consider and vote on the numerous bicameral and bipartisan bills that provide greater clarity and certainty for American offshore energy. Legislation, such as the BRIDGE Production Act and its companion bill in the Senate, offer much needed solutions to strengthen our nation’s energy outlook.

About the BRIDGE Production Act of 2023
The BRIDGE Production Act of 2023 is the companion piece to the Offshore Energy Security Act of 2023, which was introduced in the Senate by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) in July. Both pieces of legislation would:

Mandate two offshore oil and gas lease sales in 2024 and two sales in 2025
Provide certainty to offshore energy producers to continue investing in the United States
Ensure offshore energy development continues under U.S. environmental standards
Preserves the value of the 5-year offshore leasing program

NOIA’s Randall Luthi Testifies at House Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing on Offshore Leasing

July 6, 2016 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Contact: Justin Williams, (202) 465-8464, jwilliams@nullnoia.org

NOIA’s Randall Luthi Testifies at House Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing on Offshore Leasing

Washington, D.C. – NOIA President Randall Luthi released the following statement after providing testimony today before the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources on H.R. 5577, the Innovation in Offshore Leasing Act:

“NOIA applauds Congressman Graves and Ranking Member Lowenthal for their bipartisan sponsorship of the Innovation in Offshore Leasing Act and thanks the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee for holding today’s hearing.

“Offshore energy development is a vital part of the U.S. economy, providing jobs, energy security and much needed government revenue. With that in mind, it is imperative that offshore lease sales remain a reliable, safe and transparent process. NOIA members will welcome an innovative lease sale process that reduces costs, guarantees that their bids remain confidential until publically released and ensures that bids are recorded correctly. The Innovation in Offshore Leasing Act is common sense legislation that will help bring the offshore lease sale process into the 21^st Century.

“The Bureau of Land Management will be conducting its first internet-based onshore lease sale this fall, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management already holds online offshore wind lease auctions. There’s no reason why offshore oil and gas lease sales should be left behind. NOIA looks forward to working with the subcommittee and the rest of Congress in seeing this bill passed.”

###

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 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, and renewable energy.