A number of prominent voices in the energy debate are discussing the need for continued safe, environmentally responsible offshore oil and natural gas development. EIA estimates demonstrate that the United States will consume 14 percent more energy in 25 years, including alternatives, renewables and oil and natural gas.

A USA TODAY editorial from yesterday explains that limiting or banning offshore drilling would deny our nation access to 40 to 60 billion barrels of recoverable oil--about six to eight years of current U.S. consumption.

With about one-third of U.S. oil production coming from the Gulf, the editorial makes the point that we need oil, but we also need to find out what went wrong in the Deepwater Horizon tragedy and apply the lessons learned. We couldn't agree more.

A Maritime... more »

A few days ago, Shell's new oil platform Perdido began producing "first oil" in the Gulf of Mexico. To get a better understanding of the technology and engineering required to produce oil from the deep waters of the Gulf, take a look at this video.

Oil companies spend millions of dollars every day to produce the oil and natural gas that power the U.S. economy. Perdido illustrates the expertise, environmental care, and investment that keeps America moving.

In a Tallahassee Democrat op-ed published this week, the Florida Petroleum Council's Dave Mica challenges recent inaccurate claims that oil and natural gas jobs are declining and production off Florida's coast will harm the tourism industry.

Dave argues that the oil and natural gas industry already supports 9.2 million American jobs and is poised to create even more jobs if provided more opportunities to explore and produce domestic oil and natural gas.

Further, energy development doesn't have to come at a price to the environment. Dave says:

"The good news is that Florida does not have to choose between offshore oil and natural gas development and tourism and the environment. State-of-the-art advances in seismic measurements, directional drilling, subsea production and safety systems, alo... more »

As the ranking Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA) is in a position to closely observe and act on the administration's proposed energy policies.

Today in an op-ed published in The Washington Times, he provides an explanation for what he calls the administration's "mixed signals" on offshore energy production.

Hasting writes:

"Sen. Obama opposed it. Candidate Obama changed his mind when gas prices soared. President Obama stalled efforts to expand it, but then seemingly promoted it in this year's State of the Union address. Understandably, his ever-changing position has left Americans confused and frustrated."

Now Hastings believes he has seen the administration's true agenda. He says the president's 2011 budget proposal shows that government reve... more »

Jobs continue to be one of the main topics of conversation in Washington. API's President and CEO Jack Gerard explains the oil and natural gas industry's potential as a jobs creator in the video below:

And a published report in Politico today indicates that jobs bills are likely to be taken up by the U.S. Senate in coming weeks. The House passed a jobs bill in December.

The U.S. oil and natural gas industry could help to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs if it were given the opportunity--with no handouts and no stimulus. It just needs a sensible energy and tax policy that encourages domestic energy production.