Smith Statement On Administration's Offshore Drilling Announcement

Statement

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, today released the following statement regarding President Obama's offshore drilling plan which delays until 2012 all offshore drilling previously under moratoria except certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico, representing a fraction of offshore land available.

"Nebraskans should not be fooled by the Administration's announcement today. While this is a small step in the right direction, it is an exceptionally small one. Keeping the Pacific Coast, Alaska, North East Atlantic, and other areas off limits will actually close off more areas than it opens and dangerously delays new energy exploration. Just before energy use peaks and rates rise, this is exactly the wrong direction to take. Truly lifting the Obama moratorium means allowing access to all of our energy," Smith said.

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