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Home Fossil Energy Murkowski welcomes, Cantwell slams Trump’s offshore drilling plan

Murkowski welcomes, Cantwell slams Trump’s offshore drilling plan

January 5, 2018

The U.S. administration’s proposed plan to open 98 percent of the U.S. offshore waters to offshore exploration and development has, as expected, received a mixed response from the U.S. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources’ Republican and Democratic heads.

Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, and the chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has shown support to the Department of Interior plan, while her Democratic peer has slammed it.

Commenting on the new draft proposed Five-Year Oil and Gas Leasing Program for the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for 2019-2024, released on Thursday, Murkowski said: “This draft program is another positive step as we seek to reinforce our nation’s status as a global energy leader,” Murkowski said.

She added: “Secretary Zinke’s ‘blank slate’ approach launches a new discussion with local stakeholders to determine where responsible energy development should take place. While nothing in this proposal is final, it is good to see the administration seeking to expand access in places like Alaska, rather than limiting our opportunities. This is more good news as we seek to create jobs, keep energy affordable, and strengthen our long-term security.”

The draft proposed plan suggests 19 lease sales in Murkowski’s home state of Alaska, including three sales in the Chukchi Sea; three sales in the Beaufort Sea; two sales in Cook Inlet; and one sale each in 11 other program areas. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) recently increased its estimate for the Beaufort Sea by 700 million barrels to a total of 8.9 billion barrels, while the Chukchi Sea is estimated to contain 15.4 billion barrels. The Cook Inlet is a developed basin but remains a critical source of natural gas to the Railbelt.

 

Related: Trump moves to open nearly all U.S. offshore areas for drilling

 

The draft proposed program is the initial step in the decision making process and the first opportunity for public comment on the draft program. Areas that are included in the draft program may not be included in the final, based on comments by the public and further analysis by the department. However, areas that are excluded from the draft proposed program, like the North Aleutian Basin, are excluded from further consideration in this five year program.

Once the draft proposed program is published in the Federal Register, a 60-day public comment period will follow. BOEM will conduct public meetings with local stakeholders across the country, including in Alaska, beginning on January 16. Details for the public meetings can be found here.

While Murkowski is encouraging the new offshore program, not everybody is in favor.

The draf proposal plan proposes seven lease sales in the Pacific Region (2 each for Northern California, Central California, and Southern California, and 1 for Washington/Oregon). There have been no sales in the Pacific Region since 1984.

Maria Cantwell,  Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) is far from happy.

She said: “The Trump Administration’s proposal to allow drilling off the coast in the Pacific region, despite the vocal opposition of local communities and every west coast Senator, represents an outrageous attack on our coastal economies, culture, and environment. Washingtonians want to keep thriving on the coast and I will fight to protect their jobs, communities, and environment.”

 

Cantwell’s word’s have been echoed by the West Coast governors.