American Gas - June 2010 - (Page 8)

PeoPle Trends evenTs news industry industry Gives nOd tO administratiOn Plan tO OPen OCs areas fOr drillinG environmental impact statement on the 2012–17 Ocs program and hold 13 public hearings beginning April 20 on exploration of the south and mid-Atlantic Ocs. AGA said it was “encouraged” by Obama’s plan, calling it a “positive first step toward securing our country’s energy independence.” randall Luthi, president of the national Ocean industries Association, commented, “if the proposed areas ultimately end up being leased, it will represent the most significant increase in access to domestic energy from our oceans in decades.” American Petroleum institute President Jack Gerard said, “We appreciate the administration’s recognition of the importance of developing our nation’s oil and natural gas resources to create jobs, generate revenues and fuel our nation’s economy.” However, it is expected that the recent British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of mexico will slow considerably any further access to the Ocs. The Obama administration has indicated that there will be no further leasing activity in the Ocs until a thorough investigation of the BP incident has been completed. President Obama’s Plan to open more areas of the Outer continental shelf (Ocs) to natural gas and oil development has drawn a largely favorable reaction from the energy industry. Obama’s proposal calls for exploration in the eastern Gulf of mexico 125 miles or more off the Florida coast, along a stretch of the Atlantic coast from new Jersey to northern Florida, and in parts of the Arctic. But some Arctic areas, such as Alaska’s Bristol Bay, would still be under a moratorium. in announcing the plan, Obama said it is “part of a broader strategy that will move us from an economy that runs on fossil fuel and foreign oil to one that relies on homegrown fuels and clean energy. And the only way this transition will succeed is if it strengthens our economy in the short term and the long term.” interior secretary Ken salazar said, “By responsibly expanding conventional energy development and exploration here at home we can strengthen our energy security, create jobs and help rebuild our economy.” He added, “By providing order and certainty to offshore exploration and development and ensuring we are drilling in the right ways and the right places, we are opening a new chapter for balanced and responsible oil and gas development here at home.” salazar said the proposal will guide the 2012–17 Ocs leasing program. interior’s minerals management service moved to implement the plan, announcing it would start to prepare an 8 June 2010 AmericAn GAs

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - June 2010

American Gas - June 2010
Contents
President’s Message
In the Know
Industry News
Protecting Our Pipelines
AGA 2010 Membership Directory
Places to Be
Marketplace
Advertisers’ Index
Noteworthies
Jobline
Facts on Gas

American Gas - June 2010