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Energy groups voice opposition to Trump administration energy exploration moratorium

The Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) voiced its opposition to the Trump administration’s decision to extend a moratorium on energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.

The organization is also opposed to a new ban on exploration off the Atlantic coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

“The Gulf of Mexico continues to be a critical asset to meeting growing energy needs for U.S. families and small businesses. At a time when all 50 states and the federal government are struggling to regain lost revenues as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not the time to extend overly restrictive policies that limit U.S. oil, gas, and wind opportunities in the Gulf,” CEA President David Holt said. “Now is the time to create policies strongly supported by the Gulf States that allow responsible energy development and coastal protections. The best way to accomplish these goals is through a long-term legislative compromise passed by Congress so it has the certainty of federal law, which can’t be easily overturned or altered.”

A recent poll conducted by CEA in August found that a majority of voters in the Gulf region support sensible offshore energy development, including 62 percent in Texas, 72 percent in Louisiana, 73 percent in Mississippi, 70 percent in Alabama, and 54 percent in Florida.

Further, 54 percent of Floridians support a Congressional compromise that would provide long-term limitations on development in Florida waters, while giving Florida some revenue related to offshore energy development in the Gulf of Mexico.

“While we need thoughtful development in deep water in the Gulf, the Atlantic off the coast of Florida has never had any limitations on development,” Holt said. “It is good to balance thoughtful environmental and sight-line protections while maintaining an open policy for development in deep water. The U.S. has proven that we have the ability to develop our energy resources safely, responsibly, and effectively. No other single industry impacts more lives each day than our energy industry. American energy independence must include responsible Gulf-wide leasing for oil, gas, and wind, including areas that are far enough off the coast of Florida that they cannot be seen, and which also provide maximum protection for Florida’s waters and important military operations.”

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is also opposed to the extension of the moratorium.

“Extending the moratorium in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and expanding it to the South Atlantic is the wrong approach at the wrong time. Offshore access is critical for growing U.S. energy leadership and providing affordable energy for American families for decades to come,” API Vice President of Upstream Policy Lem Smith said. “A ban on responsible energy development in the Eastern Gulf and the South Atlantic puts at risk hundreds of thousands of new jobs, U.S. energy security advancements and billions of dollars in critical revenue for states. It also restricts the primary funding source for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, America’s largest federal conservation program. Our industry has proven again and again that responsible development and environmental protection aren’t mutually exclusive, and we are deeply disappointed that the administration has taken this action.”

Dave Kovaleski

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