Moran Statement on Lifting of Deepwater Drilling Ban

Statement

Congressman Jerry Moran today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of the Interior's decision to lift its ban on deepwater oil and gas drilling:

"I am pleased the Department of the Interior has finally lifted the moratorium on deepwater offshore drilling, but more work needs to be done to reduce uncertainty in the permitting process. Recent comments made by the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that the regulatory environment "will remain dynamic,' only creates ambiguity at a time when businesses need more certainty, not less. I am also concerned that delays in the processing and approval of permits in shallow water areas will soon plague deepwater areas, and continue to hinder energy production and American job creation. To help Americans get back to work and expand domestic energy production, regulators need to establish a stable and streamlined regulatory structure that allows companies to show their compliance with the new safety standards and resume operations."

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