Brat, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Reverse Offshore Drilling Ban on Federal Land

Press Release

Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) introduced the Outer Continental Shelf Energy Access Now (OCEAN) Act. A companion bill was also introduced in the Senate by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

This legislation will reverse executive actions issued by the Obama administration to ban millions of acres of federal land from offshore drilling by exploiting the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). The OCEAN Act would revise OCSLA and slightly modify the Antiquities Act to ensure they are no longer abused by overzealous presidents to block responsible offshore energy production.

Later this week the Trump administration is expected to issue an executive action regarding these onerous restrictions.

"The current limitations on oil exploration needlessly make our country more reliant on energy sources from unstable regions of the world," said Rep. Brat. "Lifting these regulations will create jobs and boost our economy and fulfill President Trump's promise to reverse Obama administration policies."

"Moratoriums and restrictions on energy production hurts American workers and energy security," said Dr. Cassidy. "President Trump pledged to create jobs and this legislation will bring those well-paying jobs with good benefits to Louisiana and all American families."

21 Original Cosponsors: David B. McKinley P.E., Jody Hice, Tom McClintock, Doug LaMalfa, Mark Meadows, Trent Franks, Pete Olson, Gary Palmer, Garret Graves, Paul Gosar, Jeff Duncan, Bruce Westerman, Barry Loudermilk, David Rouzer, Andy Biggs, Raul Labrador, Steve Scalise, Michael C. Burgess, Brett Guthrie, Rob Wittman, and Doug Lamborn.

This legislation has been endorsed by the following organizations: American Petroleum Institute (API), National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA), Arctic Energy Center, Alaska Support Industry Alliance, International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC), Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE), Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), National Ocean Policy Coalition (NOPC), National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO), Panama City Boatmen Association (PCBA).

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