President's FY 2013 Budget Includes $164.1 Million for BOEM to Advance Exploration and Development of the Nation's Offshore Resources
FY 2013 Represents First Budget Request for Independent Bureau
2012-02-13 WASHINGTON
President Obama’s fiscal year 2013 budget request, announced
today, includes $164.1 million to fund the recently established Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management (BOEM), which oversees the environmentally responsible development
of vital conventional and renewable energy resources in Federal waters offshore
of the United States.
FY 2013 funding will be critical to advance key priorities,
including implementing the Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas
Leasing Program for 2012 – 2017 and conducting the first oil and gas lease sale
under the new program in the first quarter of FY 2013.
“Our
priorities are advancing the Administration’s commitment to a comprehensive
energy strategy that encourages safe and responsible production of domestic oil
and gas resources and expanding the development of renewable sources of
energy,” said BOEM Director Tommy P. Beaudreau.
The budget proposes
a modest increase of $3.3 million, or two percent, above the FY 2012 enacted
level. The requested increases reflect careful analysis of the resources needed
to develop the bureau’s capacity and to execute its functions carefully,
responsibly and efficiently, with limited increases to support renewable energy
lease auctions and environmental studies, and funding otherwise level with last
year’s request.
“This bureau’s predecessor
historically lacked sufficient resources to keep pace with expanding development of offshore
oil and gas and renewable energy resources,” Beaudreau added. “We have been
pleased over the last fiscal year to see that these critical resources are
provided, particularly as they relate to investing in robust science to inform
decisions relating to ocean energy policy and management and appropriate
environmental safeguards. It is imperative to sustain this level of investment
moving into the next fiscal year.”
The
FY 2013 request is a continuation of the Obama Administration’s plan to
complete the reorganization of the former Minerals Management Service. BOEM’s responsibilities include long-term
resource management planning through development of the Five-Year Outer
Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program and designing offshore oil and
gas lease sales in a way that makes these resources available, encourages
diligent development, protects communities and the environment, and ensures a fair
return to the America
taxpayer.
BOEM also oversees the development of clean, renewable
energy resources, such as wind power off of America’s coasts. The offshore
renewable energy program’s responsibilities include implementing the
Secretary’s Smart from the Start initiative
to accelerate leasing in wind energy areas off of U.S. coasts.
Additional details on the President’s FY 2013 budget request are available online at http://www.doi.gov/budget/.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management manages the
exploration and development of the nation's offshore energy and mineral resources.
The bureau seeks to balance economic development, energy production, and
environmental protection through oil and gas leasing, renewable energy
development and environmental reviews and studies.