NOIA Congratulates Trump, Urges Path Forward on Offshore Development

 NOIA President Randall Luthi today released the following statement on the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. President:
 
“On behalf of the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), I congratulate President-elect Trump on his victory at the polls.  The American people have spoken, and this long and contentious election is finally over.  Even though it appears the political divide in our Nation has widened, now is the time to work together to promote wise energy policies that will enhance our ability to create jobs and promote energy security.
 
“President-elect Trump should unequivocally reestablish the U.S. commitment to ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policies.  Government projections show that the demand for energy of all kinds will continue to increase in America and around the world for the foreseeable future. Offshore has the potential to be a true energy incubator, supplying both traditional forms of energy and non-traditional sources such as wind, wave and current.
 
“However, the fact remains that even taking growing renewable energy sources into account, traditional fuels, including oil and natural gas, are expected to supply about 80 percent of the world’s energy needs for at least the next generation.  Oil and natural gas from U.S. offshore areas helps meet this demand, and contributed 16% of our domestic oil production and 5% of our domestic natural gas production in 2015. This contribution is remarkable; considering that unwise federal energy policy has kept approximately 87% of U.S. outer continental shelf (OCS) closed to exploration for over 30 years.  With the right policies in place, we can produce vastly more offshore oil and natural gas, not only for U.S. consumers, but for people around the globe as well.
 
“A strong majority of Americans support common-sense policies that increase production of our oil and natural gas resources to meet growing energy demands. An estimated 26 billion barrels of oil and 131 trillion cubic feet of natural gas lay offshore Alaska. Lease sales in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas included in the Proposed 2017-2022 OCS Oil and Gas leasing Program could yield a much needed source of jobs, revenue and energy security for both Alaska and the Lower 48. Including the Beaufort and Chukchi lease sales in the final leasing program would signal a strong commitment to an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy future.
 
“While the final decision on the Beaufort and Chukchi lease sales ultimately rests with President Obama, the President-elect can undoubtedly wield some influence in decision making the process. Many of President Obama’s own advisors have recently gone on record in support of Arctic OCS development as integral to U.S. national security, and Alaskans, including Native Alaskan communities, overwhelmingly support the lease sales. Alaskans depend on oil and natural gas development and production for their livelihoods, and their voices should not be ignored.
 
“NOIA looks forward to working with President-elect Trump and his administration in the coming years. Together, and with policies in place that increase, rather than decrease, access to federal offshore areas, we can further our position as the global energy leader, strengthen our economy, and keep energy affordable for American consumers.”