WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today in the House Resources Committee Third District Congressman Walter B. Jones voted for bill language that would give North Carolina the power to decide whether to allow oil or natural gas development off its coast. The Committee approved the bill language, which now moves to the House Budget Committee where it will be combined into a budget reconciliation package. That package is expected to be considered on the House Floor in two weeks.

“Since I came to Congress, I have argued strongly that any decision about drilling off North Carolina’s coast should be made in North Carolina, not Washington. This bill language will finally give North Carolina the authority to decide what’s in our best interests,” said Congressman Jones.

As of now, protection for North Carolina’s coast lies with the federal government and elected members of Congress and Senators from across the country. President Bush has issued an executive order that no oil and gas leases are to be made available in federal waters along the Atlantic Coast, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Coast. However, the order expires in 2012 and can be rescinded by the President or his successor at any time before then. In addition, Congress must annually approve an amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill that restricts funds from being used for oil and gas development in these areas.

As an alternative to relying on these increasingly uncertain means, the new language would give the decision to North Carolina. It would put the President’s order against leasing until 2012 into law. It would also give North Carolina, through its legislature and the governor, the power to extend this prohibition for up to ten years at a time, in perpetuity. The state could pursue resource development, but only if it could be proven that such development would be unlikely to harm the state’s marine resources. Furthermore, if a neighboring state such as Virginia decided to pursue oil and gas development, it could not do so within 50 miles of North Carolina’s coastal area.

Should North Carolina decide to allow development, the bill language greatly improves the financial benefits that would return to the state. As of now, a state and the counties and municipalities on its coast would get roughly one percent of the royalties from exploration. Under the new language, that figure would rise to 35 percent, and royalty money could be spent on whatever projects the state and municipalities deemed feasible.

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.