Posted on 10/25/2012 1:38:22 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Taking heat on the campaign trail over fossil fuel production on federal lands, the Interior Department today announced an oil and gas lease sale that will offer more than 20 million acres off the coast of Texas and will make available all unleased areas in the Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area.
The sale will be held Nov. 28 in New Orleans.
“The President’s commitment to a comprehensive, all-of-the-above energy strategy is creating jobs here at home while reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. “Exploration and development of our Western Gulf’s vital energy resources will continue to help power our nation and drive our economy.”
This will be the first offshore sale under the Administration’s new Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012–2017, a five-year program that’s come under criticism from Republicans.
Gulf Coast Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) fought back this summer with a bill, which got stuck in committee, to repeal and replace with a 5-year plan “more in line with the energy and economic needs of the United States.”
“Obama’s five-year lease plan for offshore production is only half of what the previous plan was – moving us in the complete wrong direction of where our energy production should be headed,” Vitter said. “The fall-off from the leasing and permitting actions of the Obama administration is very significant, and it’s projected to get even worse.”
“This sale is part of the regionally tailored approach that we are taking under the Five Year Program,” said Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Tommy P. Beaudreau. “We are committed to promoting the safe development of the Nation’s vital offshore oil and gas resources while also safeguarding the marine and coastal environments.”
UPDATE: House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) charged that the administration is desperately trying to pretend it supports increased oil and gas production.
“With only two weeks until the national election, President Obama is recycling his failed energy policies by announcing an offshore lease sale for the same areas that the Administration held a sale for last December. Meanwhile, at a time when increased offshore energy production in new areas could create thousands of jobs, President Obama is keeping 85 percent of America’s offshore under lock and key,” said Hastings.
“President Obama has spent the last four years constructing American energy roadblocks and his five year moratorium on 85 percent of America’s offshore energy resources is just another example of how his efforts are making America more dependent on foreign energy. With 23 million Americans looking for work, President Obama is still using his same failed energy policies that haven’t helped create jobs, grow the economy or make America more energy secure.”
Truth is they never stopped leasing the land and gulf. Yes they revoked some leases for illegitimate reasons and released them. Leasing the land and gulf has never been the problem. Leases are revenue.
The problem is PERMITS. The regime is not granting permits.
So you have a lease, That don’t impress me none...
aproved for DEVELOPMENT only!
NOT APPROVED for actual drilling!
Anything to push Benghazi below the newspaper folds.
That kind of double-timing might work well in the bathhouse, Barry, but it doesn’t work in the real world.
Too little, too late. Oh, and yet another insult by you toward the electorate - you clearly think that we’re too stupid to figure this one out. FUBO!
“This can only serve to upset his liberal base.”
No. They know he’s only pretending and that he’ll take it back after the election. It was like his homosexual marriage stance in 2008. They knew he was lying to get elected.
The next 12 days wil be very interesting
Does this mean that after 4 long and painful years, we no longer need to check the pressure in our tires??
MY GOD, this Obama jerk is amazing!!
I am hoping Obama will offer me $10 million bucks... I am holding out for $10 million.
Let’s do some drilling off of California.
He’s lying through his teeth.
Look for Lucy(Obama) to pull the football away if he wins. (threw up in mouth a little)
More leading from behind, after being forced into it by Romney’s arguments.
This looks like he’s issuing expired coupons. The promise of an auction on November 28 becomes invalid on November 7, if he has the votes.
FYI...... comments or other info
Is he going to announce reparations for slavery next?
A lease is one thing; a permit is another.
Too little, too late. Thank God.
“He’s a BULLSHITTER.”
“BIG TIME”
Whatcha got?
Th-th-th-that's oil folks.
Leni
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