Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and 118 additional Members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary Zinke requesting the Department of the Interior to include consideration of all Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lands in the development of a new National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program.   

“Just as today’s energy security is the result of production set in motion by decisions made years ago, the decisions on OCS leasing and development facing the Department today will lay the groundwork for our energy and national security for decades,” the letter states.

Members urge Secretary Zinke to consider all 26 OCS lands in the development of a New Leasing Plan. Currently, 94 percent of OCS lands are excluded under the 2017-2022 Five Year Leasing Plan, signed into effect by the Obama Administration.

“The safe and environmentally responsible development of our offshore resources not only enhances our status as an international energy superpower, but benefits the nation through increased job creation, additional government revenue, and affordable and reliable energy supplies for consumers and manufacturing.  The time is now to make the U.S. energy dominant.  Expanding access to the available resource potential of the OCS during the development of a new National Leasing Program can solidify our energy superpower position into the future,” the letter states.

Click here to read the full letter.