Dear Mr. President: As highlighted by the world’s reaction to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, leadership on energy issues is important to supporting our allies and meeting the needs of American families and businesses. The undersigned groups represent a diverse cross-section of industries, from energy producers and manufacturers to retailers and small businesses that stand ready to collaborate with your administration on policies that support U.S. energy security and increase supply through the domestic production of oil and natural gas. A critical and urgent place to start is on implementation of a new 5-year offshore leasing program (“5-year Program”), which under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), must be finalized by July 1, 2022, when the current program is scheduled to expire.
The world needs energy from many sources, including oil and natural gas. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration oil and natural gas is expected to represent nearly half of the world’s energy use in 2040. U.S. leadership on energy is critical and we are positioned to help meet the growing demand efficiently and responsibly from domestic and lower emissions offshore operations. The Gulf of Mexico currently represents over 15 percent of U.S. oil and natural gas production that is also some of the lowest-carbon intensive production in the world with a small environmental footprint. The Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas industry plays a significant role in the Gulf Coast’s regional, state, and local economies. For the U.S. to continue to be an energy leader into the future, smart and effective energy policies are needed today.