Biden Administration Cancels Three Oil and Gas Lease Sales - Oceana USA

Biden Administration Cancels Three Oil and Gas Lease Sales

Oceana applauds admin for protecting coastal communities and expanding clean domestic energy production

Press Release Date: May 12, 2022

Location: Washington

Contact:

Austin Matheny, Dustin Cranor, APR | email: amatheny@oceana.org, dcranor@oceana.org | tel: 858.395.5577, 954.348.1314

In response to the Biden-Harris administration canceling offshore oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska, Oceana released the following statement from campaign director Diane Hoskins:

“Fossil fuel companies are lying when they say they need more leases for oil and gas. They already have 8 million acres that are going unused offshore. No number of new leases would fix gas prices. Oil companies haven’t developed the leases they already have, and they certainly don’t need any more. If increased production was really the answer, they could use the leases they already own. Instead, they are taking advantage of the current situation and raking in record profits. We can’t afford any more dirty and dangerous offshore drilling.

“Oceana applauds President Biden for upholding his campaign commitment to halt new leasing for offshore oil and gas drilling and for his leadership in increasing our domestic clean energy supply through offshore wind. President Biden must continue to lead by proposing a new Five-Year Plan with no new lease sales.  Through responsibly sited and developed offshore wind, our oceans can play a major role in meeting our nation’s energy needs, protecting our economy, and ensuring Americans aren’t victims of future price hikes spurred by autocrats like Putin or the whims of the global oil market.”

An Oceana analysis found that permanent offshore drilling protections for all unleased federal waters could prevent over 19 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions. That is the equivalent of taking every car in the U.S. off the road for the next 15 years. The analysis also found that permanent protections in all unleased federal waters could prevent more than $720 billion in damages to people, property, and the environment.

For more information about Oceana’s efforts to stop the expansion of offshore drilling, please click here.

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 225 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.usa.oceana.org to learn more.