Gulf Lease Sale: More Energy, Economic Security
Mark Green
Posted March 17, 2010
Today, the preliminary results of Central Gulf Lease Sale 213, held in New Orleans, were announced.
The sale received 642 bids on 468 leases--34 percent higher than last year's Central Gulf Lease Sale 208--and garnered $949 million in high bids, up from $703 million in last year's sale.
The oil and natural gas industry stands ready to invest in America and create additional new jobs, as evidenced by its strong bidding during the Central Gulf 213 lease sale, in which the industry was able to bid on parcels in several new areas. The sale captured $949 million in high bids, contributing to energy and economic security.
The U.S. government could replicate this success by providing leasing opportunities in unexplored areas of the Outer Continental Shelf--like offshore Virginia, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas off Alaska.
Allowing new leasing, a move supported by 63 percent of Americans, according to recent polling by the Pew Center, could help rejuvenate the struggling American economy, bringing in much-needed government revenues, creating new jobs and providing the energy we need for future economic growth.
This is approach is highly preferable to taxing the industry, which could stifle energy production, revenues and job growth.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.