Institute for Energy Research

Offshore Energy Development Moves forward
The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS): Supplies, Bans, and Natural Seeps
ICF International Study: New Report Finds Producing Off-Limits Energy Would Generate $1.7 Trillion Stimulus and 160,000 New Jobs
MMS Request for Comment in the Federal Register
MMS 5-Year Leasing Program

Be the change! Let the Obama Administration know that you support offshore energy production.

The Minerals Management Service (MMS), the government agency in charge of offshore oil and natural gas leasing, revises its plan to lease offshore areas every five years. Because of comments from people like you, MMS has prepared a new five-year plan that opens new areas for expanded oil and natural gas production. This is an important step, but there is more to do.

We must let MMS and President Obama know we support expanding American energy production.

A majority of Americans support increased domestic energy production, but our voices must be heard. President Obama cannot turn his back on increasing our energy resources.

The MMS estimates that offshore areas contain 86 billion barrels of oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This five year plan moves us in the right direction towards accessing those resources.

Access to these domestic resources will create real jobs and lower energy prices for Americans. In these troubled economic times, we need access to affordable American energy now.

Take Action and submit your comments to MMS and President Obama. Below we have drafted a model comment. Feel free to send the model comment or modify it. Once you hit submit, your comments will be automatically sent to MMS.

First Name:
Last Name:
E-Mail:
Address 1:
Address 2:
City:
State:
Zip Code:

Occasionally send me IER emails

Message:

Minerals Management Service
 
Attention: Leasing Division (LD)
 
381 Elden Street
 
MS-4010
 
Herndon, VA 20170-4817

RE: 2010-2015 Oil and Gas Leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf
 
I strongly support increased access to America's domestic energy resources. The 2010-2015 Draft Proposed Plan is a good step in that direction. For too long, much of America's access to these important domestic resources has been off-limits and I am glad that President Bush and Congress overturned the offshore energy moratorium.
 
The views of the American people should come first. Americans overwhelmingly support increased access to these resources and less dependence on foreign sources of fossil energy. Also, the American people want more affordable energy. MMS must limit the obstacles to increased energy production and help keep energy affordable.
 
Neither the President nor Congress imposed buffer zones on these leases. MMS should not impose buffer zones and reduce access to America's energy resources without explicit Congressional direction. 
 
I believe the Federal government should share revenues from offshore leasing with the states. States have a stake in these offshore areas and should receive some of the revenues.
 
Offshore energy development creates real jobs. We need to continue to promote real jobs and real economic activity in America. Last year $23 billion flowed to the U.S. Treasury in lease payments and bonus bids. Increased energy production will help balance the books even in today's economy. 
 
Finally, the OCS Lands Act requires the proposed plan to "best meet the national energy needs for the 5-year period following its approval or reapproval." This plan does that. MMS should work to improve Americans' access to American energy sources, and impose as few restrictions as possible. Greater access will keep energy prices affordable and America competitive in a global economy. 
 
Sincerely,

Privacy Disclaimer from MMS:
Our practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents available for public review. Individual commenters may ask that we withhold their name, home address, or both from the public record, and we will try to honor such a request to the extent allowable by law. If you submit comments and wish us to withhold such information, you must state so prominently at the beginning of your submission. We will not consider anonymous comments, and we will make available for inspection in their entirety all comments submitted by organizations or businesses or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives of organizations or businesses.

About the Institute for Energy Research

The Institute for Energy Research (IER) is a not-for-profit organization that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets. IER maintains that freely-functioning energy markets provide the most efficient and effective solutions to today's global energy and environmental challenges and, as such, are critical to the well-being of individuals and society.

Founded in 1989 from a predecessor organization, IER is a public foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is funded entirely by tax deductible contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations. No financial support is sought for or accepted from government sources.