[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 28 (Monday, February 28, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S977-S978]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 77--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT DOMESTIC 
OIL AND GAS RESOURCES ARE CRITICAL TO OUR NATION'S SECURITY AND ECONOMY 
   AND THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO 
        STREAMLINE THE SHALLOW AND DEEPWATER PERMITTING PROCESS

  Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Wicker, 
Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Begich, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Sessions, and Mr. Shelby) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources:

                               S. Res. 77

       Whereas the Gulf of Mexico produces about 30 percent of oil 
     in the United States and 10 percent of natural gas in the 
     United States;
       Whereas on May 30, 2010, the Department of the Interior 
     enacted a deepwater moratorium which lasted until October 12, 
     2010;
       Whereas more than 400,000 jobs across the Gulf Coast are 
     tied to the offshore drilling industry;
       Whereas in 2009, the offshore drilling industry accounted 
     for $70,000,000,000 in economic value and provided about 
     $20,000,000,000 in revenue to Federal, State, and local 
     governments through royalties, bonuses, and tax collections;
       Whereas the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon 
     Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling recognized the importance of 
     the industry in a report, stating, ``the development of 
     offshore energy resources contributes substantially to local 
     economies, supporting businesses small and large and 
     employing tens of thousands of workers'';

[[Page S978]]

       Whereas the Department of the Interior has issued less than 
     35 new shallow water permits since the shallow water 
     moratorium was lifted and has failed to issue any new permits 
     for deepwater exploration; and
       Whereas as a result of the de facto moratorium, at least 12 
     rigs (shallow and deepwater) have departed the Gulf of 
     Mexico, and more are expected to follow: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the Nation's economy and security depends upon full and 
     immediate restoration of shallow and deepwater drilling 
     operations in the Gulf of Mexico;
       (2) the long term economic health of the State of Alaska 
     depends upon the responsible development of the oil and 
     natural gas reserves of the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas; and
       (3) the Secretary of the Interior should--
       (A) streamline the review and appropriate approval of 
     applications for both shallow and deepwater drilling permits 
     in the Outer Continental Shelf;
       (B) take immediate action to provide the shallow and 
     deepwater industry with a completed sample application which 
     meets all of the new safety and environmental regulations for 
     use as a template;
       (C) provide written guidance and clarification to 
     applicants regarding new safety requirements; and
       (D) provide permit applicants with timely and detailed 
     explanations on any areas of a permit which do not satisfy 
     new requirements.

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