House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today announced two Full Committee oversight hearings in March to address offshore energy production. The first hearing will focus on the community and economic impacts of the Obama Administration’s de facto drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico and the second hearing will examine the Fiscal Year 2012 budget request for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE).

“Despite rising gasoline prices, the Obama Administration continues to slow-walk drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico. The de facto moratorium has cost thousands of American jobs and 300,000 barrels of oil a day - oil that we are forced to replace with unstable foreign sources. The one token deep water permit that was issued does not make up for the months of inaction, nor does it put thousands of people back to work,” said Chairman Hastings. “The Committee will also closely examine the request for additional funding for BOEMRE. We must ensure that this money will actually be used to improve safety and foster increased American energy production.”

WHAT:	Full Committee Oversight Hearing on “Obama Administration’s De Facto Moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico: Community and Economic Impacts” Witnesses to be announced.
WHEN:	Wednesday, March 16, 2011 10:00 A.M.
WHERE:	1324 Hearing Room in Longworth House Office Building

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WHAT:	Full Committee Oversight Hearing to “Examining the Spending Priorities and the Missions of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), and the President’s FY 2012 Budget Proposal.” Witnesses Mr. Michael Bromwich, Director of BOEMRE
WHEN:	Wednesday, March 30, 2011 10:00 A.M.
WHERE:	1324 Hearing Room in Longworth House Office Building

Visit the Committee Hearings webpage for testimony and additional information, once it is made available. The hearing is open to the public and a live stream will be broadcast at /live.

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