The Department of the Interior yesterday announced new deepwater drilling requirements that could further delay offshore development and job creation.

The Interior Department says it will require more extensive environmental reviews for deepwater projects, including limiting the use of "categorical exclusions" which eliminate the need to conduct an environmental analysis for every deepwater well. These exclusions make sense for wells being drilled in the same or similar formations where the environmental conditions and risks were identical, and for which extensive environmental analyses already have been conducted.

Further, categorical exclusions are an important and recognized tool that are utilized for approval of federal projects across to the nation, from Department of Defense projects... more »

(Editor's note: API President and CEO Jack Gerard announced a series of rallies being scheduled in several cities in September, giving Americans a forum where they can voice their concerns about jobs and the economy. A portion of his prepared statement appears below.)

"I am officially announcing that API will host additional citizen rallies starting early next month in conjunction with other local and national groups. We'll be taking the lead on the rallies, but we are partnering with local energy and business groups in every location. We're kicking off the program with three rallies in Texas on September 1st, and we are now finalizing plans for rallies in Ohio, Illinois, Colorado and New Mexico.

"The focus of the rallies will be jobs and the economy. U.S. unemployment is high, and t... more »

In today's episode, I interview Rep. Dean Cannon, Speaker Designate of the Florida House of Representatives, about his bill to open up Florida's State-owned waters to offshore drilling. Rep. Cannon says this proposed bill would help boost the state's economy while protecting Florida's tourism sector. He also references a recent study, conducted by the Willis Group, which shows the low risks associated with offshore drilling.

Use the audio player below to listen to information about the article and follow along with the show notes. I hope you find the podcast informative.

00:17 At the end of March, President Obama announced plans to open portions of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to offshore oil and natural gas development, but his plans cover only feder... more »