Expand Domestic Offshore Energy Access

PACE submitted public comments this week to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, supporting the proposed expansion of leasing regions. Energy leadership is needed now more than ever, for consumers at home – and to shore up America’s leadership in the world. 

Laura Marshall Schepis
Executive DirectorPartnership for Affordable Clean Energy
8409 Lee Highway, #2547
Merrifield VA 22116

March 8, 2018

Ms. Kelly Hammerle, National OCS Oil & Gas Leasing Program Manager
Dr. Jill Lewandowski, Chief, Division of Environmental Assessment
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
45600 Woodland Road
Sterling VA 20166

RE:   Draft Proposed 2019-2024 OCS Oil & Gas Leasing Program & Notice of Intent to Prepare a PEIS

Dear Ms. Hammerle and Dr. Lewandowski:

On behalf of the Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy, I write in support of the decision to include offshore areas currently closed to access and to ask the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to maintain all of the proposed leasing regions as it further develops the 2019-2024 offshore leasing program.
With nearly all U.S. offshore areas currently under lock and key, the federal government has taken a significant step forward by considering expanded opportunities to develop American energy. It’s critically important to assess, and where feasible, access the nation’s offshore energy resources.

Lifting long-time artificial constraints on access to American energy can help consumers spend less on energy and more on other priorities. Energy independence improves our economy and provides much-needed revenues to federal, state, and local governments. Studies have found that unleashing the full power of our offshore resources could create more than 893,000 jobs, nearly $450 billion in spending, over $546 billion in Gross Domestic Product, and over $395 billion in increased government revenue.

In an uncertain world, strengthening and expanding the offshore leasing program will help protect our long-term national security. Promoting development of U.S. energy supplies can reduce our reliance on energy from other countries and improve our ability to provide allies with energy resources. Energy leadership is an integral part of global leadership.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Schepis