Transitions of presidential administrations from one political party to another can be bumpy at best for energy policies. This one is shaping up to be out-and-out war for the next couple of months, and possibly beyond.
In a Nov. 15 letter, US House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.) warned Obama administration "secretaries, administrators, directors, and commissioners" against "finalizing pending rules and regulations in the administration's last days."
They said, "By refraining from acting with undue haste, you will ensure that agency staff may full assess the costs and benefits of rules, making it less likely that unintended consequences will harm consumers and businesses. Moreover, such forbearance is necessary to afford the recently elected administration and Congress the opportunity to review and give direction concerning pending rulemakings."
The lawmakers said, "Should you ignore this counsel, please be aware that we will work with our colleagues to ensure that Congress scrutinizes your actions-and, if appropriate, overturns them pursuant to the Congressional Review Act."
This probably was not news to politically appointed leaders at the US Department of the Interior or Environmental Protection Agency, where decisions they hope will be final will be announced before they leave. It certainly did not stop Interior from deleting lease sales in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas offshore Alaska from the proposed final 2017-22 US Outer Continental Shelf management program on Nov. 18.
It's doubtful that the 115th Congress and the Trump administration could restore those lease sales-or one off Mid-Atlantic states that was canceled last spring-to the next 5-year OCS plan. That didn't stop prominent congressional Republicans from saying they would try.
Throwing up barriers
"In its final days, the Obama administration is throwing up more barriers to American energy development," US House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) fumed. "This plan to exclude the resource-rich Arctic from exploration possibilities squanders our ability to harness the abundant, affordable energy sources that power our economy."
Ryan said, "Our Better Way agenda outlines a plan to unleash our energy potential and create American jobs. That's why we will work to overturn this plan, and to open up the Arctic and other offshore areas for development."
At an event that same day cosponsored by RealClear Politics and the American Petroleum Institute, API Pres. Jack N. Gerard said voters made it clear on Nov. 8 that they want their federal lawmakers "to set aside partisan bickering and work together to solve our common challenges."
Oil and gas trade association leaders' responses to Interior's OCS announcement showed they place more hope, even with all the uncertainties, in the next administration.