Thank you for writing to me to express your opposition to opening the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to oil and gas exploration. I appreciate hearing from you on this important energy issue, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.
Like you, I do not believe that we can drill our way out of these record energy prices. Congress acted to protect the federal waters off of California from oil and gas exploration in 1981 and has voted to renew that ban every year since. I believe that lifting the moratoria is a false promise and an unnecessary risk. The Department of Energy (DOE) has also projected that lifting the moratoria would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030.
Additionally, the oil industry has access to significant oil and gas resources on federal lands and waters that they have yet to use. According to the Department of the Interior:
oWhile the number of drilling permits issued to the oil industry increased by 361 percent between 1999 and 2007, gas prices increased from $1.25 per gallon to over $4.00 per gallon during the same period;
oThe majority of crude oil and natural gas believed to be available on the OCS - 79 percent of oil and 82 percent of natural gas - are already available for drilling through existing leases; and
oNearly 64 million acres of federal land and water leased to the oil and gas industry are not being used to increase domestic production.
You may also be interested to know that I am a cosponsor of the "Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act" (S. 2635), which prohibits oil and gas exploration in the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Northern California. A healthy coast is vital to California's economy and our quality of life, and I am committed to protecting the coast of California from the threat of offshore drilling.
I believe that the United States needs a long-term strategy to address our dependence on fossil fuels. Instead of initiating oil exploration in some of our most precious ecological resources, we must take steps to increase the use of renewable energy and maximize current supplies by supporting energy efficient technologies. I have successfully worked to advance legislation that increases fuel economy standards, requires the use of renewable energy and establishes tax incentives for green buildings. I appreciate hearing your concerns, and I will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue working with my colleagues in the Senate to strengthen our national energy policy.
Again, thank you for writing. If you have additional comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.
United States Senator
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