Trump Proposes 2019 BOEM Budget of $179M

The United States president, Donald Trump, has proposed a $179.3 million fiscal year 2019 budget for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to manage offshore energy and mineral resources.

Trump’s FY 2019 budget request focuses on the development of BOEM’s mission, including offshore oil and gas exploration and development, offshore renewable energy, marine minerals management, and science-based analysis.

It supports ongoing efforts that are vital to advancing the President’s Executive Order 13795, Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy Strategy, which requires BOEM to develop and implement a new National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program) in conformity with the provisions of the OCS Lands Act.

“BOEM’s FY 2019 Request is responsive to the Administration’s America-First Offshore Energy Strategy,” said BOEM acting director Walter Cruickshank. “It recognizes BOEM’s vital role in advancing responsible offshore energy development as part of the Administration’s comprehensive effort to secure the Nation’s energy future, benefit the economy, and create jobs.”

On January 4, 2018, secretary of the interior Ryan Zinke announced the Draft Proposed Program (DPP) for the 2019-2024 National OCS Program, which proposes 47 potential lease sales for consideration – the largest number of lease sales ever proposed for a National OCS Program’s five-year lease schedule. To implement the Administration priority, the President’s Budget request includes $9.4 million to build a new National OCS Program that considers the 25 planning areas identified by the DPP and begins implementation of the new National Program.