Energy Tomorrow Blog
The Case for Permanent LWCF Funding – In Pictures and Words
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Mark Green
Posted July 22, 2020
With the U.S. House scheduled to vote on legislation that would create permanent, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), amazing photos from parks and recreation areas around the U.S. make the case for supporting the country’s most important federal conservation initiative. The beautiful images show just a small fraction of the preservation, history and other outdoor opportunities across the U.S. that benefit from LWCF.
Since 1965 the fund has supplied billions of dollars for parks, conservation and recreation across all 50 states. Virtually all of that money was supplied by safe, responsible offshore oil and natural gas development. As we noted last month, when the legislation was moving through the U.S. Senate, the Wilderness Society says LWCF has been “America’s most important conservation funding tool for nearly 50 years.”
Conservation’s Lifeline: Offshore Energy Development
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Mike Sommers
Posted June 11, 2020
Practical, safe, and responsible offshore energy development doesn’t just create jobs and power our lives – it also funds America’s largest federal conservation program. For decades, the natural gas and oil industry has directly contributed to outdoor recreation and environmental conservation, thanks to a long-standing law that would be strengthened by legislation that is up for a vote in the U.S. Senate.
Senators will soon vote on S. 3422, the Great American Outdoors Act, a bipartisan bill that would codify a permanent funding stream for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and address a considerable maintenance and construction backlog on public lands.
Offshore Energy Funds Conservation, Strengthens U.S. Economy
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Mike Sommers
Posted November 7, 2019
Safe and responsible energy development drives economic growth and environmental progress, and by expanding exploration on federal lands and along the Outer Continental Shelf, the U.S. stands to generate billions of dollars in funding for infrastructure, education and conservation.
Celebrating National Ocean Month
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Jessica Lutz
Posted June 6, 2019
Following past White House precedent, President Trump recently designated June 2019 as National Ocean Month in recognition of the ocean’s role in supporting the U.S. economy, national security and environment, while recommitting to safeguard its vital resources.
The U.S. offshore energy industry wholeheartedly supports the sentiments in the president’s proclamation and demonstrates this day in and day out.
Offshore Energy Revenues Boost State Conservation, Coastal Protection
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Jessica Lutz
Posted May 2, 2019
Offshore energy development has delivered yet another economic and conservation boost to states – this time to the tune of $215 million.
The U.S. Department of the Interior disbursed the funds last week to the four Gulf natural gas and oil producing states – Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, and their coastal political subdivisions – for use toward coastal conservation and hurricane protection projects. And the best part? Not a single dollar came from taxpayers.
What Louisiana Can Tell Virginia About Safe Offshore Development
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Mark Green
Posted January 10, 2019
Coastal states that have hosted offshore natural gas and oil development for decades illustrate how advanced industry technologies and an emphasis on safety – protecting people and the environment – make offshore energy a great opportunity for other states.
A diverse group of business and industry leaders from Virginia – which could be included in the administration’s soon-to-be-unveiled offshore leasing program – recently visited Louisiana, which has had a long, successful experience with offshore development.
The visiting delegation wanted to see first-hand how offshore operations affect coastal areas, individual communities, the state and regional economy, other water activities and more – all feeding enthusiasm for what safe and responsible offshore energy could mean for Virginia.
The Transforming Economic Power of Offshore Energy
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Mark Green
Posted November 28, 2018
During an Explore Offshore discussion on Capitol Hill, it’s not hard to pick out the good reasons for safely and responsibly developing offshore natural gas and oil: long-term U.S. energy and national security, jobs and economic stimulus, revenues to states, global leadership and more.
There’s not a more compelling reason than the way offshore development can create hope and opportunity for people who historically have struggled to gain access to both – a point made by Stephen Gilchrist, Explore Offshore state chairman for South Carolina.
Tax Revenues From Offshore Energy Will Benefit States, Studies Find
offshore energy tax revenues florida north carolina virginia south carolina georgia spill
Mark Green
Posted November 19, 2018
As we wait for the Trump administration to unveil the next federal offshore leasing program, which will guide offshore natural gas and oil development the next five years, new studies affirm what we’ve been saying about the economic boost outer continental shelf (OCS) leasing could give to coastal states – in the form of cumulative tax revenues over a 20-year forecast period. …
Individually, each state is looking the potential for big numbers and big benefits across the entire state. They follow studies earlier this year finding that through offshore leasing these states together could see billions in projected industry spending and the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Offshore Energy, Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
offshore energy oil and natural gas revenues conservation gulf of mexico spill
Mark Green
Posted July 10, 2018
Offshore energy development works for the states – all of them.
The U.S. Interior Department recently announced that $61.6 million in revenues from offshore oil and natural gas will be distributed to all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia – via grants that support state conservation and outdoor recreation projects.
Ponder that: You don’t have to be a coastal state; you don’t have to be a producing state. Under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA), everyone benefits from offshore natural gas and oil revenues that are earmarked for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants.'Explore Offshore' Coalition Backs More Access to Offshore Energy
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Mark Green
Posted June 8, 2018
Our industry supports increased access to America’s offshore natural gas and oil. The benefits promise to be broad for coastal states and the entire country. Responsible development is safe, well-regulated and compatible with other uses, including those of our military.
To advance the nation’s strategic interests that are tied to careful offshore natural gas and oil, API this week announced the launch of “Explore Offshore,” a diverse coalition of more than 100 local leaders, community organizations, businesses and associations from five Atlantic and Gulf Coast states that supports increased offshore access.