[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 154 (Thursday, November 4, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13926-S13928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS REVENUES

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, a few minutes ago I posed a few 
questions to the majority leader about a very important piece of 
legislation, an appropriations bill that is still pending. As we know, 
there are several important appropriations measures being debated and 
negotiated, and that is the process. Some of that happens, a lot of it, 
behind closed doors, which is the way it has worked for many, many 
years and will probably continue to work that way.
  However, there are some questions I want to raise or some points I 
want to bring up. There are a great number of Members--Senators from 
the South, the East, the North, and the West, Democrats and 
Republicans, a great group of House Members, led by Don Young of Alaska 
and George Miller of California, Chris John from Louisiana, Billy 
Tauzin from Louisiana, a Democrat and Republican respectfully, and 
Representative Udall in the House--who have worked very hard to come to 
some bipartisan agreements about a new way to spend offshore oil and 
gas revenues in a way that is fair to all the coastal States, 
particularly those States including Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and 
Alabama to a certain degree, that produce these offshore oil and gas 
revenues. Without our States acting as a platform, this industry would 
not exist.
  Many Members have worked on a bipartisan redirection of some of those 
revenues to come back to the States and local governments instead of 
going into the Federal Treasury as they do now, and as they have been 
since 1955, redirecting those revenues back to help the coastal 
restoration programs, to help restore our coastlines particularly in 
Louisiana, which is so fragile, and the Florida Everglades, which need 
a tremendous amount of help.
  In addition, we have the idea these moneys could be permanently 
allocated to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund which has 
been funded intermittently--hit and miss--through the decades.
  We think the American people should have something to count on, so 
they know every year their Federal Government is going to take a very 
small portion, but an important portion, of money for land purchases 
and acquisitions and conservation easements to help expand our park 
system, both at the Federal level and to improve our park system, as 
well as giving Governors and mayors and county officials the ability to 
create recreational opportunities. As a Governor, Mr. President, you 
know how important that is to the people of your State and my State. 
They believe strongly in recreation and access to the outdoors.
  In addition, this bipartisan group believes it can also take a 
portion of those moneys and expand the very successful Pittman-
Robertson, which is one of the most successful Federal programs, 
working in partnership with local outdoors enthusiasts--hunters, 
fishermen and women, conservationists in those areas--and to fully fund 
historic preservation and urban parks, to name just a few. It is a very 
comprehensive approach. It is an innovative approach.
  Although we do not have a bill out of either House yet, we do have a 
great markup that I want to share with the Members, Chairman Young's 
markup that came out this morning. Their bill, which is reflective of 
some of the things I have said, will be considered next week. It would 
be a tremendous accomplishment for this administration and for this 
Congress to come together in a bipartisan way to make at least a 
downpayment this year. If we cannot fully fund what I have generally 
just described, let us at least make an effort this year to fund, for 1 
year, these programs that are currently already authorized, that have 
been in existence for many years, to actually put some money where our 
mouth is--within the budget caps and the balanced budget agreement we 
have reached--so we could perhaps build on this year and, over the next 
several years, fully fund the programs I have talked about.
  I will ask to have printed in the Record today a letter I received 
from 800 individuals and organizations supporting this initiative. It 
is signed by 800 of some of the leading environmentalists and activists 
in the country today, groups representing all different aspects of the 
environmental community from the east coast to the west coast, from 
south to north. They have submitted a letter to us today supporting the 
efforts I have just articulated.
  I ask unanimous consent the letter, dated November 1, 1999, as well 
as a table of Federal offshore mineral revenue collections for 1989-
1999 and projects for 1999-2000, be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:
                                                 November 1, 1999.
     U.S. Senate/House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator/Representative: As the twentieth century draws 
     to a close, Congress has a rare opportunity to pass landmark 
     legislation that would establish a permanent and significant 
     source of conservation funding. A number of promising 
     legislative proposals would take revenues from non-renewable 
     offshore oil and gas resources and reinvest them in the 
     protection of renewable resources such as our wildlife, 
     public lands, coasts, oceans, cultural treasures, and outdoor 
     recreation. Securing this funding would allow us to build 
     upon the pioneering conservation tradition that Teddy 
     Roosevelt initiated at the beginning of the century.
       The vast majority of Americans recognize the duty we have 
     to protect and conserve our rich cultural and natural 
     legacies for future generations. A diverse array of 
     interests, including sportsmen and women, conservationists, 
     historic preservationists, outdoor recreationalists, the 
     faith community, business interests, state and local 
     governments, and others, support conservation funding 
     legislation because they recognize it is essential to fulfill 
     this obligation.
       We call upon you and your colleagues to seize this 
     unprecedented opportunity. Pass legislation that would make a 
     substantial and reliable investment in the conservation of 
     our nation's wildlife, public lands, coastal and marine 
     resources, historic and cultural treasures, urban and rural 
     parks, and open space. Design a bill that provides 
     significant conservation benefits, is free of harmfull 
     environmental impacts to our coastal and ocean resources, and 
     does not unduly hinder land acquisition programs.
       An historic conservation funding bill is within our grasp. 
     It will be an accomplishment that all can celebrate. We look 
     to Congress to make this legislation a reality.
           Sincerely,
                                                    ------  ------

[[Page S13927]]



 Federal Offshore Mineral Revenue Collections, Calendar Years 1989-1999
 
                         Year                                Amount
 
1989..................................................    $2,915,145,540
1990..................................................     3,367,738,819
1991..................................................     2,793,166,498
1992..................................................     2,561,405,652
1993..................................................     2,856,913,823
1994..................................................     2,915,284,805
1995..................................................     2,723,753,949
1996..................................................     4,253,641,347
1997..................................................     5,259,228,035
1998..................................................     4,322,637,332
                                                       -----------------
  Average.............................................     3,396,891,580
 


  Projected Federal Offshore Mineral Revenue Collections, FY 1999-2005
 
                         Year                                Amount
 
1999..................................................    $2,946,000,000
2000..................................................     2,584,000,000
2001..................................................     2,812,000,000
2002..................................................     2,827,000,000
2003..................................................     2,669,000,000
2004..................................................     2,575,000,000
2005..................................................     2,489,000,000
                                                       -----------------
  Average.............................................     2,700,285,714
 

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, basically they are saying there is a 
way, a better way, to allocate these revenues from offshore oil and gas 
to fund a variety of programs that are fair to all the different parts 
of this Nation, one that is environmentally friendly, one that focuses 
on the needs of our coastline and also recognizes the proper role of 
Congress in authorizing the purchases of land because that is something 
that should be done not only by the administration, whoever the 
President may be, Republican or Democrat--whether it is the current 
President, who has been terrific in many ways on this issue--but it is 
something that must be worked on in conjunction with the Members of 
Congress.
  They have signed a letter that is going to be distributed. I will 
have it printed for the Record. In addition, I would like the Record to 
reflect we received 2 weeks ago an endorsement from the National 
Chamber of Commerce. They usually do not get into environmental issues 
such as this, but the Chamber of Commerce realizes, as businesspeople 
representing some of the finest businesses in our country, that a clean 
environment, access to parks and recreation, improving the quality of 
life for Americans everywhere, is the Chamber's business because we are 
about improving the quality of life, improving our economy. They see 
this as an important bill.
  It is not that usual to have the environmental community and the 
business community together. This is one idea they have both said is 
terrific; let's move forward.
  Finally, for the Record, I want to resubmit a letter from 40 
Governors--not 10, not 12, not Democratic Governors, not Republican 
Governors. Mr. President, you were a Governor at one time, and a great 
leader, so you know it is not easy to get 40 signatures from the 
Governors' Association of Democrats and Republicans who have said the 
same thing.
  I ask unanimous consent those letters be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was order to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                               September 21, 1999.
     Hon. Trent Lott,
     Majority Leader,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.

     Hon. Thomas Daschle,
     Minority Leader,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.

     Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
     Speaker of the House,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

     Hon. Richard Gephardt,
     Minority Leader,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senators Lott and Daschle and Representatives Hastert 
     and Gephardt: The 106th Congress has an historic opportunity 
     to end this century with a major commitment to natural 
     resource conservation that will benefit future generations. 
     We encourage you to approve legislation this year that 
     reinvests a meaningful portion of the revenues from federal 
     outer continental shelf (OCS) oil and gas development in 
     coastal conservation and impact assistance, open space and 
     farmland preservation, federal, state and local parks and 
     recreation, and wildlife conservation, including endangered 
     species prevention, protection and recovery costs.
       Since outer continental shelf revenues come from 
     nonrenewable resources, it makes sense to permanently 
     dedicate them to natural resource conservation rather than 
     dispersing them for general government purposes. Around the 
     nation, citizens have repeatedly affirmed their support for 
     conservation through numerous ballot initiatives and state 
     and local legislatioan. We applaud both the Senate Energy and 
     Natural Resources Committee and the House Resources Committee 
     for conducting a bipartisan and inclusive process that 
     recognizes the unique role of state and local governments in 
     preserving and protecting natural resources.
       The legislation reported by the Committees should, to the 
     maximum extent possible, permanently appropriate these new 
     funds to the states, to be used in partnership with local 
     governments and non-profit organizations to implement these 
     various conservation initiatives. We urge the Congress to 
     give state and local governments maximum flexibility in 
     determining how to invest these funds. In this way, federal 
     funds can be tailored to complement state plans, priorities 
     and resources. State and local governments are in the best 
     position to apply these funds to necessary and unique 
     conservation efforts, such as preserving species, while 
     providing for the economic needs of communities. The 
     legislation should be neutral with regard to both existing 
     OCS moratoria and future offshore development, and should not 
     come at the expense of federally supported state programs.
       We recognize that dedicating funds over a number of years 
     to any specific use is a difficult budgetary decision. 
     Nevertheless, we believe that the time is right to make this 
     major commitment to conservation along the lines outlined in 
     this letter.
       We look forward to working with you to take advantage of 
     this unique opportunity and are available to help ensure that 
     this commitment is fiscally responsible. Thank you for your 
     consideration of these legislative principles as you proceed 
     to enact this important legislation.
         Gov. John A. Kitzhaber, M.D., Oregon; Gov. Mike Leavitt, 
           Utah; Gov. Tom Ridge, Pennsylvania; Gov. Mike Foster, 
           Louisiana; Gov. John G. Rowland, Connecticut; Gov. 
           Parris N. Glendening, Maryland; Gov. Howard Dean, M.D., 
           Vermont; Gov. Thomas R. Carper, Delaware; Gov. 
           Christine Todd Whitman, New Jersey; Gov. James B. Hunt, 
           Jr., North Carolina; Gov. Roy E. Barnes, Georgia; Gov. 
           Jim Hodges, South Carolina; Gov. Lincoln Almond, Rhode 
           Island; Gov. Angel S. King, Jr., Maine; Gov. Gary 
           Locke, Washington; Gov. Argeo Paul Cellucci, 
           Massachusetts.
         Gov. Cecil H. Underwood, West Virginia; Gov. Marc 
           Racicot, Montana; Gov. Don Siegelman, Alabama; Gov. 
           Gray Davis, California; Gov. Mel Carnahan, Missouri; 
           Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano, Hawaii; Gov. Jane Dee Hull, 
           Arizona; Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, Idaho; Gov. Tony 
           Knowles, Alaska; Gov. George H. Ryan, Illinois; Gov. 
           James S. Gilmore III, Virginia; Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, 
           New Hampshire; Gov. Bill Graves, Kansas; Gov. George E. 
           Pataki, New York; Gov. Paul E. Patton, Kentucky; Gov. 
           Tommy G. Thompson, Wisconsin; Gov. Bill Owens, 
           Colorado.
         Gov. Mike Huckabee, Arkansas; Gov. Frank Keating, 
           Oklahoma; Gov. Jim Geringer, Wyoming; Gov. Edward T. 
           Schafer, North Dakota; Gov. Frank O'Bannon, Indiana; 
           Gov. Kirk Fordice, Mississippi; Gov. William J. 
           Janklow, South Dakota.
                                  ____

                                        Chamber of Commerce of the


                                     United States of America,

                               Washington, DC, September 24, 1999.
     Hon. Mary Landrieu,
     U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Landrieu: On behalf of the U.S. Chamber of 
     Commerce, I am writing in support of S. 25, the Conservation 
     and Reinvestment Act of 1999. The Chamber has long supported 
     the concept that the federal government should share a 
     portion of revenues from Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy 
     production efforts with the coastal states that may be 
     affected by these activities.
       S. 25 recognizes the contribution that states make to 
     national fuel production and reducing our nation's dependence 
     on foreign oil. It would direct more monies from leasing and 
     production activities to those states and communities that 
     shoulder the responsibility for energy development along; 
     their coastlines. It would provide local communities with 
     impact assistance funds to address infrastructure problems 
     and other public service needs associated with federal 
     offshore activities. It is a bipartisan conservation 
     legislation that would help promote a lasting legacy of 
     natural resource stewardship for future generations.
       The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business 
     federation representing more than three million businesses of 
     every size, sector, and region, applauds your efforts to help 
     remedy the disparity between states and the federal 
     government in offshore development and looks forward to 
     working with you to achieve this important goal.
           Sincerely,

                                              R. Bruce Josten,

                                         Executive Vice President,
                                               Government Affairs.

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to say, as we 
get down to the final days of these negotiations, even though we do not 
have a bill out of the Senate or out of the House, we do have a lot of 
language that helps to show there is bipartisan support for this 
effort. I am hoping the

[[Page S13928]]

appropriators, who are at the negotiating table, will hear loudly and 
clearly from hundreds and thousands of individuals and groups that 
there is a better way to spend this money.
  We realize we do not have all we would like, but we would like the 
final product of this Interior bill to come out in a way that is 
reflective of the principles I have outlined--Federal/State 
partnership, coastal impact assistance, full funding for land and 
water, historic preservation, and wildlife conservation, with current 
appropriated and authorized programs--not anything new, just something 
a little better, a little different, a little improved.
  As we are waiting for the final decisions of today and how we are 
going to proceed I wanted to take some time to have these documents 
printed in the Record and to thank my colleagues on this side of the 
aisle, particularly my senior Senator from Louisiana, for his tireless 
work; particularly Chairman Murkowski for his terrific work on this 
issue as chairman of our committee; particularly the members of the 
committee, Senator Johnson, Senator Bayh, Senator Lincoln, and others; 
Senator Sessions, who has been a terrific supporter.
  I thank them for their work on this bill and tell them we are moving 
forward. We are building support and building a bipartisan bill. Today 
was good news when Chairman Young and the ranking member, George 
Miller, who had competing versions, came together and signed an 
agreement that is very reflective of what I think the American public 
wants us to do in this Congress.
  We may not be able to get it all done this year, but we could make an 
important downpayment, a first step towards this historic conservation 
bill and leave a real legacy for our children and our grandchildren--
not just a 1-year appropriation but a real legacy, as this century 
ends, of which we can all be proud and all share credit for something 
well done.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________