API statement on reported Interior direction on five-year plan

Bill Bush | 202.682.8069 | bushw@api.org

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2010 – The American Petroleum Institute released the following statement today on indications reported in the media the Interior Department intends the next five-year offshore leasing plan to run from 2012-2017:

"We’re aware of the news reports but have seen nothing official from the department.  We continue to encourage the Administration to move as expeditiously as possible to increase domestic oil and natural gas development.  This could create thousands of much-needed jobs, billions in revenue to federal and state government, and the energy a recovering economy will soon demand.  A recent Pew Research Center poll shows Americans favor drilling offshore by more than a two-to-one margin.  Public comments submitted to Interior on an accelerated five-year plan are also strongly favorable.  We hope to work with the Interior Department and others in the Administration to bring about the domestic energy development Americans have clearly been demanding."