Time is now to comment on offshore drilling plans
The Trump administration announced Thursday that the public comment period will open Monday for a new five-year energy leasing program for the outer continental shelf, a move toward opening East Coast waters to oil and gas exploration and drilling.
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The program for oil and gas development sets a schedule for proposed oil and gas lease sales of the coast. The comment period is the first step in executing the 2017-22 plan.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is asking for input on the economic, social and environmental values of all outer continental shelf resources, as well as the potential effects of oil and gas exploration and development on other resources and the marine, coastal and human environments. This information is to be considered when BOEM prepares a draft proposed program.
The current national program for 2017–22 schedules 11 potential lease sales, 10 in the Gulf of Mexico and one in the Cook Inlet of Alaska.
The public involvement and analysis generally takes two to three years to complete.
Comments will be accepted until Aug. 17, in either of the following ways:
- Electronically (preferred method): https://www.boem.gov/Public-Engagement-Opportunities/ Open the “Open Comment Document” link and follow instructions to view relevant documents and submit comments.
- In written form, deliver to: Kelly Hammerle, National Program Manager, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management; 45600 Woodland Road-VAM-LD; Sterling, VA 20166.
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