Securing America's Future Energy

SAFE Supports Interior’s Decision to Expand Oil and Gas Leasing in Gulf of Mexico

Contact: Bridget Bartol | 202.461.2361 | bbartol@secureenergy.org

Washington, D.C.—Responding to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement that it is proposing the largest oil and gas lease sale in U.S. history, Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) President and CEO Robbie Diamond issued the following statement:

“Increasing opportunities for domestic energy production must be a cornerstone of U.S. efforts to strengthen our energy security, bolstering our economic and national security interests in turn. Expanded offshore oil production not only insulates us from OPEC’s collusion and the unfree oil market, it increases revenue and benefits taxpayers. Responsible oil and gas production on federal lands and waters is critical to serving the nation’s interests in the long-term.”

In addition to improving access to domestic oil and gas resources, SAFE supports mitigating U.S. oil dependence with comprehensive demand-side policies, such as modernized and strengthened fuel economy rules, and expanded deployment of advanced fuel vehicles to undermine oil’s monopoly in the transportation sector.

About Securing America’s Future Energy

Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America’s dependence on oil. Near-total dependence on petroleum in the transportation sector undermines the nation’s economic and national security, and constrains U.S. foreign policy. To combat these threats, SAFE advocates for expanded domestic production of U.S. oil and gas resources, continued improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency, and transportation sector innovations including electric vehicles, natural gas trucks, and autonomous vehicles. In 2006, SAFE joined with General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, to form the Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a group of business and former military leaders committed to reducing the United States’ dependence on oil. Today, the ESLC is co-chaired by Frederick W. Smith and General James T. Conway (Ret), 34th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.

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