HYDE-SMITH OPPOSES BILL TO CODIFY OFFSHORE ENERGY MORATORIUM
Miss. Senator Says Permanent Offshore Energy Restrictions Would Limit Work to Unleash American Energy
VIDEO: Senator Hyde-Smith Explains Opposition to Pending Outer Continental Shelf Legislation.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today registered her opposition to legislation to codify an existing moratorium on oil and gas exploration on parts of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as the Trump administration moves to revive offshore energy production.
At an Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee hearing Thursday, Hyde-Smith said the American Shores Protection Act (S.3082) is unnecessary and could affect ongoing Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) work to develop a new five-year lease sale plan for offshore energy production.
“The bill comes as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management continues to advance the Draft Proposed Program for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The proposal fulfills BOEM’s statutory responsibilities and aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order, Unleashing American Energy, which I have been so anxious to do,” Hyde-Smith said.
“The proposal considers all potential options in federal waters that could benefit the American people. Expanding opportunities in the Gulf could help meet growing energy demand, create jobs, and support refiners along the Gulf Coast,” the Senator continued. “Additional lease sales will help fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, benefiting states across the country, not just Mississippi.”
Hyde-Smith said S.3082 could restrict the administration’s authority to strengthen American energy production by prohibiting energy exploration, development, and production in certain OCS areas off the coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
“Congress should allow the BOEM’s process to proceed without restricting the administration's authority,” Hyde-Smith said.
Offshore energy production the in regions outlined in S.3082 is already prohibited under a 2020 moratorium, which President Trump extended to June 2032. President Trump retains the authority to rescind that moratorium at any time.
In addition, the current BOEM 11th National Oil and Gas Leasing Program is supported by the Outer Continental Shelf Governors Coalition, which is headed by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. A supportive OCS Governors Coalition comment letter, which states that the Gulf of America contains an estimated 29.6 billion barrels of oil and 54.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, was entered by Hyde-Smith into the hearing record.
Hyde-Smith serves on the Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, which convened Thursday to receive testimony on 23 bills from stakeholders and administration officials.
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