Content:
    Terry Scholten

 Pagemasters:
    OEMM Web Team

MMS Issues Draft Proposed Program (DPP) – January 16, 2009

The Draft Proposed Program (3.87 MB PDF) is the second step in a multi-year process to develop a new oil and gas leasing program. The DPP seeks public comment on all aspects of the new program for 2010-2015 including energy development and economic and environmental issues in the OCS areas.

For the DPP, MMS proposes 31 OCS lease sales in all or some portion of 12 of the 26 planning areas—4 areas off Alaska, 2 areas off the Pacific coast, 3 areas in the Gulf of Mexico, and 3 areas off the Atlantic coast. The DPP is just a starting place, designed to encourage discussions about the OCS areas of greatest interest and potential. Any new areas that are included in the final program will not be available for leasing until the 5-Year Program has been completed and approved. No area can be leased without being included in the then current approved 5-year program.

On February 10, 2009, Secretary Salazar announced his strategy for developing an offshore energy plan that includes conventional and renewable energy resources. As part of his 4-step plan, the comment period for the DPP was extended for an additional 180 days to September 21, 2009 in order to provide additional time for input from states, stakeholders and affected communities.