WASHINGTON, D.C. –Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute, issued the following statement in response to the Department of Interior’s Draft 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program:
“The administration’s Draft Proposed Program unlocks the vast potential of American energy and expands our ability to export oil and gas to our allies around the world. The plan announced today is a long term commitment to securing our energy future, and would help cement America’s role as an energy superpower, creating jobs and contributing to our economy.
“For decades, our nation has needlessly limited our own ability to harness oil and gas resources. This new plan sets a much different course, allowing far greater access to offshore areas that haven’t been previously accessible using advanced technology to determine where to safely drill. Even with our remarkable energy renaissance over the past decade, we still import a significant amount of oil. We look forward to helping build support and participating in the process leading to the final adoption of the plan.”