Securing America's Future Energy

SAFE Applauds Trump Administration’s Release of a New Five-Year National Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bridget Bartol | 202.461.2361 | bbartol@secureenergy.org

Washington, D.C.­— Following the U.S. Department of Interior’s (DOI) release of a new five-year National Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) President and CEO Robbie Diamond issued the following statement:

“The United States is one of the only nations in the world which blocks industry from drilling on its own territory. Opening the OCS is a matter of both economic and national security. Oil and gas development in the Atlantic has been restricted for decades, and by responsibly opening up our offshore resources we will have more domestic energy options that will strengthen our energy security. We applaud Secretary Zinke for his expeditious review of this new plan, as well as President Trump’s executive order earlier this year that allowed DOI to evaluate areas on the OCS for responsible offshore drilling.”

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 standards, and expanded deployment of advanced fuel vehicles to reduce oil’s monopoly in the transportation sector.

By leveraging technology and adhering to strict standards, the U.S. energy industry is a global leader in ensuring oil is produced according to some of the most comprehensive safety and environmental regulations in the world. “At this time when the U.S. is rightfully looking to maximize production, SAFE encourages DOI to ensure rigorous maintenance of our stringent environmental and safety standards,” Diamond added.

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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