Haley, McCrory, McDonnell Ask Interior Secretary Designate to Support Offshore Energy Exploration

Press Release

Governors Nikki Haley, Pat McCrory (N.C.) and Bob McDonnell (VA) today sent a letter today to Sally Jewell, President Barack Obama's Interior Secretary designate, asking her to re-examine the Obama Administration's opposition to energy exploration and production on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf.

An excerpt of the governors' letter is below:

"As governors, we strive to pursue policies that help create jobs and make energy more affordable while protecting our states' natural resources.

Over the past several years, a number of governors have expressed an interest in reforming off-shore energy policy so that states can safely and prudently take advantage of abundant off-shore resources. During your nomination hearings, we will be listening intently to your answers regarding energy exploration off the coasts of our states and hope you will signal your willingness to revise the Administration's current policy to one that is committed to safely harnessing our coast's vast natural resources…

… It's estimated that energy production from the Atlantic OCS could create more than 140,000 new jobs within the next 20 years, and we hope you will ensure that the Administration is a partner with the states on this issue."

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