Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5577, the “Innovation in Offshore Leasing Act,” by voice vote. Introduced by Reps. Garret Graves (R-LA) and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), it provides the Interior Secretary with the authority to conduct internet-based oil and natural gas lease sales for the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. 

“This bill brings much needed modernization to our antiquated offshore leasing processes. Even though the current Administration seeks to eliminate all of the Outer Continental Shelf from exploration, what is available in the restrictive Five-Year Plan will benefit immensely from Rep. Graves’ innovative framework. Despite what fringe-left special interests keep saying, this bipartisan bill expands both public access and transparency.” Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) said. 

Transitioning to online leasing represents a cost-efficient and transparent process that has the potential to greatly increase competition for our nation’s resources.

“Making government work better for people – the way it’s supposed to – is a primary goal in everything we do up here, and this bill is designed with that in mind. From industry, flood protection and traffic to national security and the balancing the budget, we’re working to make the government better leverage the technology that we all use in our private lives to do its work better, quicker and at a lower cost to taxpayers,” Rep. Graves said.