Clinton extends wide offshore drilling ban

Oil groups have lamented President Bill Clinton's 10-year extension of a moratorium against drilling off most of the U.S. coastline, except the Gulf Coast and parts of Alaska, until 2012. The current moratorium, issued by former President George Bush, was due to expire in 2002. The ban covers the North Atlantic, California, Washington, Oregon, southwest Florida, New England, the mid-Atlantic, and southern Alaska. The withdrawals do not affect rights under existing leases, and the President

June 22, 1998

3 min read

Oil groups have lamented President Bill Clinton's 10-year extension of a moratorium against drilling off most of the U.S. coastline, except the Gulf Coast and parts of Alaska, until 2012.

The current moratorium, issued by former President George Bush, was due to expire in 2002.

The ban covers the North Atlantic, California, Washington, Oregon, southwest Florida, New England, the mid-Atlantic, and southern Alaska.

The withdrawals do not affect rights under existing leases, and the President reserved the right to revoke them in the interest of national security.

In an appearance at Monterey, Calif., Clinton said, "It is clear we must save these shores from oil drilling.

"Here in California, you know all too well how oil spills from offshore drilling can spoil our coasts, causing not just the death of marine life but the destruction of fragile ecosystems-also economic devastation, in tourism, recreation, and fishing. Even under the best of circumstances, is it really worth the risk?"

Clinton also said he has directed his cabinet to report back in 1 year with "recommendations for a coordinated, disciplined, long-term federal oceans policy.

"And I want to work with the Congress to create an oceans commission...on a permanent, ongoing basis as we forge a new strategy to preserve the incomparable natural resources of our oceans and seas."

Reactions

The American Petroleum Institute said "The extension is unfortunate because it ignores the near-perfect performance of the American petroleum industry in operating offshore in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner.

"U.S. government statistics show that natural seeps from the ocean floor introduce 100 times more crude oil into U.S. marine waters than do the petroleum industry's offshore activities.

"This regrettable decision, which is not in the long-term interests of American consumers, is particularly bad policy at a time of record U.S. energy imports. Ultimately, the extension means a smaller future supply of domestically produced oil and natural gas and a lost opportunity to create American jobs."

The Natural Gas Supply Association said, "Cleaner air and increased use of affordable, clean-burning natural gas depend on access to the large natural gas fields off the nation's coasts. Continuing today's severe restrictions on offshore natural gas production is simply not in the nation's best interest."

It said the government wants to increase use of natural gas, especially to replace or supplement the widespread use of coal in electricity generation, yet is restricting access to the most promising gas production areas.

NGSA said, in the absence of an unanticipated technology breakthrough, the moratoria make government and private projections of a 35% growth in U.S. gas consumption by 2010 or 2015 "virtually untenable."