Support U.S. Offshore Oil & Gas Development
Every five years, the federal government develops a program that determines which areas in the U.S. may be leased for offshore oil and natural gas drilling. If an area is not included in this “Five-Year Program”, it cannot be leased and is considered off-limits. To find out more about the Five-Year Program, click here.
Resources to Make a Difference:
- Offshore areas of the lower 48 states contain about 288 trillion cubic feet/natural gas & 52 billion barrels/oil. This equals current oil production for 105 years & current natural gas production for 71 years; and would run 132 million cars & heat 54 million homes for 15 years.
- Offshore Alaska contains about 27 billion barrels/oil & 132 trillion cubic feet/natural gas. This is more than all the current total proven U.S. oil resources (i.e. approximately 21 billion barrels); and would be the 8th largest oil resource in the world – ahead of Nigeria, Libya, Russia and Norway.
- Opening up these areas to development could add another 160,000 well-paying jobs to our economy. Those new resources and new jobs could create as much as $1.7 trillion in additional revenue for federal, state and local governments.
Additional Energy Needed to Meet Projected Demand:
Over the next 20 years, U.S. energy demand will grow 1.4 percent every year. In 2025, oil and natural gas will still provide 65 percent of domestic energy. Prices will rise again, unless supply is increased.
Take Action:
Tell President Obama today that you support offshore oil & gas drilling. The comment period closes September 21, 2009. Hurry & make your voice heard — use our sample text below or change the wording.