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.”
After 4 years of stopping it and right before an election? That’s mighty white of him.
This can only serve to upset his liberal base.
This can only serve to upset his liberal base.
Too late! zero is showing his desparation.
The president’s campaign strategy relies upon the electorate having Obamanesia.
Do us all a favour, Bam-Bam: Resign.
Next, Obama will submit Ronald Reagan’s name for sainthood.
That’s mighty white of him.
RE: This can only serve to upset his liberal base.
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I don’t understand the purpose this last minute “change of heart”... and in Texas too.
What does he expect? That the Texans are suddenly going to vote for him because of this?
Is this from The Onion? sarc/
Crumbs....Can I have more sir....please???
If he gets re-elected, he could always change his mind. Those leases are usually for 10 years, not 5, so it will be interesting to see what the reception is like.
5 year program, when have I heard that before?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-Year_Plans_for_the_National_Economy_of_the_Soviet_Union
He’s a BULLSHITTER.
Its not a change of heart, the offering was made to the Chinese, Brazilians, Cubans, Venezuelans....
Like he owns it. We own it MF’r.
Of course - leases are not the same as permits...
“Perhaps an all-out push to get gasoline below $3/gallon nation wide before the election?”
Why would he want that? He thinks lower gas prices is a leading indicator that the economy is doing worse.
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