Providing Reliable, Affordable, and Environmentally Sound Energy for America's Future. President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act into law on August 8, 2005, committing his Administration to implementing the tools for "dependable, affordable, and environmentally sound production and distribution of energy." With the signing of the Act , Interior was granted new responsibilities related to renewable energy. The Department's Minerals Management Service (MMS) is actively working to establish this new renewable energy program for the Federal offshore waters. As a first step in December 2005, the MMS published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) seeking information to assist in program development and rulemaking. The ANPR requested input on five major program areas:
(1) access to Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lands;
(2) environmental information, management, and compliance;
(3) operational activities;
(4) payments and revenues; and, (5) coordination and consultation. In 2001, Interior provided input and support to the Vice President's Energy Task Force and developed recommendations on issues related to access to offshore resources and Arctic issues. This included information and recommendations on energy production from offshore federal lands, access to federal lands for energy development, royalty and incentives, research, and permitting. The President's National Energy Policy presents recommendations to diversify and increase energy supplies, encourage conservation and ensure adequate energy distribution. August 7, 2003 marked the 50th anniversary of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) of 1953-this legislative action provided a framework for regulating and managing the production of oil, gas, and other minerals on offshore Federal Land.
5-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing
Program: The
current 5-year Oil and Gas Leasing Program was effective July 1, 2007 and runs
through June 30, 2012. The OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2007-2012 schedules
21 lease sales in eight planning areas. The Minerals Management Service estimates
that the program could produce 10 billion barrels of oil and 45 trillion cubic
feet of natural gas over 40 years, generating almost $170 billion, in today's
dollars, in net benefits for the nation. Twelve sales are slated for the Gulf
of Mexico, eight off the coast of Alaska and, at the request of the Commonwealth
of Virginia, one in the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area, which would be at least
50 miles off the coast of Virginia. This sale would only take place if the
presidential withdrawal is modified and the congressional moratorium discontinued
in the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area. The department will conduct additional environmental
reviews and consultations before deciding whether to proceed with each sale.
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