National Association of Convenience Stores weighs in on offshore drilling plan

The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) recently sent a letter to the Department of
Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in support of opening up the Outer Continental Shelf for oil exploration.

BOEM recently closed its public comment period seeking input on a new 5-year offshore drilling plan,
which could open up parts of the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Alaska’s Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea and Cook Inlet areas to exploration and drilling.

“NACS strongly supports policies that ensure a stable domestic supply of energy,” the letter said. “The convenience and fuel retailing industry is the closest facing entity to the consumer. Thus, it is in the best interest of the consumer to have low priced fuel, and NACS supports efforts to reduce volatility in the marketplace, increase supply, and encourage stability in the fuel supply chain. Developing a new leasing program and including all 26 Outer Continental Shelf planning areas in the development of the Draft Proposed Program achieves these goals.”

BOEM had received more than 50,000 comments on the issue, including from members of Congress both for and against expanded offshore drilling.

The process of writing the plan is expected to take two to three years.