While I applaud the Obama administration for the decision to reopen the Eastern Seaboard to offshore oil and gas exploration and their approval of seismic surveys, we must keep in mind future access of these areas.
We finally have a chance to open up areas of our Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Opening these areas, which contain a wealth of oil and natural gas, will allow us to continue to be a global leader in energy production. If we choose to keep them closed, we send a signal to the world that we are not committed to maintaining our energy leadership role.
Our administration is once again faced with a decision that can lead us towards greater energy and national security – or greater reliance on those countries who seek to harm us. I support the addition of the areas that have been closed for offshore development, such as areas in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Alaska to the upcoming 2017-2022 Five Year Plan to maintain our energy and national security.
Developing these new stores of oil and natural gas will generate jobs, revenue and energy and help our country’s economic recovery continue to move forward. President Obama recognized the importance of energy in his State of the Union speech when he said, “One of the biggest factors in bringing more jobs back is our commitment to American energy.” BOEM can back his words with actions that would increase our domestic oil and natural gas resources.
If you support future revenue and energy, jobs and National Security, I encourage you to submit a letter, as I have, asking BOEM to include the the Mid- and South-Atlantic, eastern Gulf of Mexico and Alaska in the 2017-2022 five-year OCS Leasing Plan.
George Wuerch
Chair, Vets4Energy
LtCol, USMC (Retired)
Former Mayor, Anchorage, AK.
Submitting comments on the 5-year Plan RFI
Due date to BOEM: July 31, 2014
Commenting via Internet: http://www.boem.gov/Five-Year-Program-2017-2022/
Internet comments should be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. BOEM requests that commenters follow these instructions to submit their comments via this Web site:
(1) In the search tab on the main page, search for BOEM–2014–0059.
(2) Locate “Requests for Information: Preparation of the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program”(3) Click on “Comment Now”
- Enter “Comment” OR if, attaching a letter, click on “Choose Files” to upload a file (up to 10MB).
- Enter the “Required” submitter information (note, any privileged or proprietary information.)
(4) After typing /uploading the comment, click the ‘‘Continue’’ link to review (a Preview window will appear which shows what your comment will look like).
(5) Once satisfied with the comment, click the ‘‘Submit’’ button to send the comment.
Mailing comments via hardcopy:
Ms. Kelly Hammerle
Five Year Program Manager
BOEM (HM–3120)
381 Elden Street
Herndon, Virginia 20170.
