WASHINGTON, DC –Today, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX) responded to reports that the Obama Administration may end the moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf before its scheduled November 30th expiration.
“I’m pleased the White House is finally acknowledging the devastating impact its drilling ban is having on American energy jobs and the economy. But I’m skeptical because lifting the moratorium late or in name only will continue the damage it’s causing to the Gulf. The moratorium needs to end now because each day our rigs are idle we lose American energy jobs and small businesses struggle to survive.”
Brady, a senior Member of the House Ways & Means Committee, challenges Michael Bromwich’s assertion that a de facto moratorium isn’t continuing in the shallow waters of the Gulf. “Few new drilling permits are being granted in the shallow waters today. If the deep water ban is lifted, but no permits are issued, then the rigs remain idle and job losses will mount.”
Congressman Brady encourages Texans to weigh in with the Administration and their Member of Congress on how the ban is impacting them. Michael Bromwich, Director of the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (formally known as the Minerals Management Service, or MMS), is holding a series of public meetings this month and next in cities throughout the United States, including in Houston in September, to hear from Americans about their views on the Gulf drilling ban. Members of the public can submit comments through September 17th through this web address:
http://dsusa02.degreesearchusa.com/t.pl/000000A/http/www.boemre.gov/forums/
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