On January 8, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) published in theĀ Federal RegisterĀ the National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program (DPP) for 2019-2024. The DPP proposes potential access to resources in the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific and the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
After the release of the DPP, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the Administration is considering limiting access to areas offshore Florida. The National OCS Leasing Program is developed in accordance with the OCS Lands Act which outlines a comprehensive and lengthy review process for the draft five-year leasing program. As such, Secretary Zinkeās announcement ā which could remove theĀ eastern Gulf of MexicoĀ early in the planning process ā is premature.
PESA has been part of a Joint Trade Group ā led by API – advocating for DOI to proceed with an inclusive and thorough review process that includes all acreages proposed in the DPP.
Ā The release of the DPP is an early step in a multi-year process to develop a final National OCS Leasing Program. DOI will use input received from stakeholders to develop the proposed OCS leasing program. Detailed information on the DPP is available onĀ Interiorās websiteĀ and comments are due onĀ March 9.
The Joint Trade Group is developing a comprehensive advocacy program (letters, comments, media, public meetings, grassroots/grasstops campaigns, etc.). The Government Affairs Committee spearheads PESAās involvement in this issue.
For questions or additional information, please contact PESA Senior Director Public PolicyĀ Jean Gould.
