WASHINGTON, D.C., December 14, 2011 – Today the Obama Administration’s Interior Department conducted the first offshore lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico since the tragic explosion and oil spill that occurred nearly 20 months ago. With just 17 days left this year, the Administration narrowly avoided making 2011 the first year since 1953 without an offshore lease sale.  

“Acting out of political expediency, not economic necessity, the Department of the Interior finally held the first offshore lease sale of this year. However, don’t be fooled—this Administration has delayed and canceled multiple lease sales that were previously scheduled,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (NGP Photo). “In spite of the hundreds of thousands of jobs that could be created by opening up more offshore areas to energy production, this Administration has repeatedly stood in the way.
 
“House Republicans have passed three offshore energy bills that would guarantee lease sales that the Obama Administration has delayed or canceled as well as open up the most productive areas of our Outer Continental Shelf for American energy production. While I’m pleased to see this lease sale carried out, the Administration must take immediate action to resume the other sales they’ve delayed and canceled.”