Congressman Davis Takes Proavtice Role In Lifting The Ban On Offshore Drilling

Press Release

Congressman Artur Davis joined a group of fifteen House Democrats in unveiling a comprehensive plan to address the current energy crisis by increasing domestic oil supply and helping to secure energy independence. Introduced today in Congress, the bill lifts the prohibition on offshore drilling, includes a study of offshore resources, and provides funding for alternative energy and conservation.

"The fact that gas prices are temporarily slowing down cannot be the latest rationale for inaction. Our country is too dependent on foreign oil, and it will take a sustained effort on every front to retake control of our energy destiny," Davis said. "We need to explore untapped reserves as well as more aggressively develop renewable energy sources, including natural gas and cellulosic ethanol. We must take advantage of all of the resources at our disposal - all options must be on the table."

The "Long-term Energy Assurance and Security Enhancement Act of 2008" or "LEASE Act" includes provisions that would allow for environmentally responsible oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico, eliminating the federal moratorium on drilling 100 miles or more offshore while giving states the option to pursue expansion of drilling closer to shore. The federal moratorium on areas between 25 and 100 miles from the coast would remain in effect unless the governor of a coastal state made a special request to the Interior Department and the state legislature approved the request. The Interior Department would then have the option of approving or denying a governor's request if leasing would cause an unreasonable risk to people or the marine and coastal environments. Leases would not be allowed within 25 miles of the coast.

The LEASE Act takes an important step toward ensuring energy independence by establishing a new "Energy Independence and Security Fund" to finance alternative energy, conservation, and public transportation programs by diverting 25 percent of all revenues generated from new leases to the fund. It will also provide a means for states to maximize the benefits of revenues from drilling, as 37.5 percent of funds generated from new leases will go directly to the states.

"Most importantly, we need to move beyond the partisan politics that have defined this issue. Congress has shown that it can get things done in an effective and bipartisan manner - the farm bill and housing bill are two examples. Energy policy must be the next place we suspend our differences to move our country forward to address the challenges that we face."

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