On February 10, 2009, the Department of the Interior announced a six-month delay for the 2010-2015 offshore drilling plan on America’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and extended the public comment period through September 21, 2009. Today, 98 House Republicans sent a letter (click here to view) to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to officially encourage the Department to end the delay and finally move forward with expanded offshore oil and natural gas production.

Additionally, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (R-WA), House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN), Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA) released the following statements to call on the Administration to support an “all of the above” energy plan that will create new jobs and more American energy.

“Administration officials regularly express their support for a comprehensive energy plan. Unfortunately, they continue to stand in the way of new offshore drilling on America’s Outer Continental Shelf. With 14.7 million Americans out of work, the Department of the Interior should finally end its de facto moratorium on offshore drilling and take action to responsibly develop our oil and natural gas supply. Instead of moving forward with a National Energy Tax, the Administration should support an ‘all of the above’ strategy to create high paying jobs, lower energy bills, and increase our energy independence.” - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (R-WA)

“As unemployment surges toward double digits nationwide, the American people are asking ‘where are the jobs?’ One of the best ways to creates millions of new jobs, clean up our environment, and reduce our dependence on foreign energy is Republicans’ ‘all of the above’ energy strategy. That includes environmentally-responsible deepwater energy exploration. I urge Secretary Salazar and the Obama Administration to stop denying Americans’ access to this vital national resource – American energy.” - House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

“The impact of the Administration’s agenda, whether it’s government health care or the national energy tax will not be measured in jobs saved and created, but, sadly, in jobs lost and destroyed. Republicans will continue to offer innovative solutions that put job creation first, and we hope that fair minded, centrist Democrats concerned about the direction this Congress has taken will work together with us.” - House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA)

“At a time when our nation’s hardworking taxpayers are hurting, more domestic energy and new jobs would give our struggling economy a much needed boost. Currently, we have the resources available to open the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and decrease our dependence on foreign oil. The Obama Administration must stop standing in the way of energy independence for the American people.” - House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN)

“The Administration has warned that unemployment will likely reach 10% this year. With the knowledge that jobs and economy, not a government-run healthcare plan, remain the number one concern for nearly all Americans, there should be no question whether or not to allow access to the abundant domestic oil and gas resources located throughout the deepwater Outer Continental Shelf. This responsible and environmentally sound decision will provide 2 million jobs domestic jobs, much-needed tax revenue and contribute to our goal for domestic energy independence.” - Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT)

“Rather than taxing away jobs and American-made energy, recovery will require this administration to unlock our nation’s economic potential. For more than a year now, the American people have been clamoring for an ‘all of the above’ energy solution, yet Democrats remain bound to their radical fringe. We can produce a clean energy economy that will create millions of jobs with this comprehensive solution. While the administration is still on the hunt, we know where the jobs could be: providing clean, affordable American-made energy for Americans.” - Republican Study Committee Chairman Tom Price (R-GA)

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