Although offshore wind is an intermittent and inefficient source of electricity, IER applauds the Department of the Interior’s capability to move forward on the production of energy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2009
Contact:
Laura Henderson, 202.621.2951
Patrick Creighton, 202.621.2947

Russia, Communist Cuba Advance Offshore Energy Production Miles Off Florida’s Coast

Efforts Should Send Strong Message to Interior Dept. to Open OCS in Five-Year Plan

WASHINGTON, DC – Under the headline “Russia to drill for oil off Cuba,” the BBC recently reported that, “Russia is to begin oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, after signing a deal with Cuba, says Cuban state media.” In response to this development, Thomas J. Pyle, president of the Institute for Energy Research (IER), a free-market energy think-tank, issued the following statement:

“Increasing energy production and access to affordable and reliable domestic energy is the bedrock for economic growth and strength. It’s both ironic, and alarming, that communist nations – like Cuba – are outpacing America, the guiding light of free-market capitalism, when it comes to energy security and production.

“Policymakers in Washington have lost sight of achieving commonsense energy policies. Rather, our leaders have focused on more government intervention into the economy, by picking winners and losers in the market. Look no further than the cash-for-clunkers program. And now, with a national cap and trade energy rationing plan advancing hastily, middle-class tax hikes seem inevitable.

“Washington must get back to the basics, and focus on expanding freedoms and prosperity, not the size of government and our debt. This agreement between Russia and Cuba should serve as a wake-up call to Congress and this Administration, especially Secretary Salazar, who is slow-walking a new offshore energy blueprint for the nation. If we are to remain competitive in the global market, our government must take its foot off the brake, and expand domestic energy production of all forms, onshore and off.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
APRIL 7, 2009
CONTACT:
LAURA HENDERSON
202.621.2951

If by “Open,” He Meant “Closed,” Salazar’s OCS Public Review Process is the Most Open We’ve Ever Seen

WASHINGTON, D.C. – IER President Thomas J. Pyle today issued the following statement in response to growing concerns surrounding Secretary of Interior Salazar’s increasing efforts to close off public access to the creation of a five-year plan for energy production on the outer continental shelf (OCS).

“Secretary Salazar and his department may say they’re interested in an open comment period, but the real story appears to be a concerted attempt to make it harder than ever for the public to be heard. The Department of Interior has changed what was formerly a simple process for receiving public comments into a closed, lengthy, bureaucratic, process full of government red-tape and void of public opinion.

“Even though polling shows that the majority of the American people want to look for American energy in American waters, we still operate under a nearly three-decade self imposed embargo. Similarly, while Salazar continually states that the U.S. has only limited reserves, he fails to mention that his own department estimates that oil from the OCS could quadruple our reserves.

“Affordable, accessible American energy is far too important to be left to a politicized policy that doesn’t take Americans’ views into account. IER will continue to monitor and delve further into what looks like behind-the-scenes coordination among Administration leaders and political organizations.”

More from IER:

Press Release: Hundreds in NJ Turn Out in Support of Offshore Energy Development
Fact Sheet: Offshore Energy Exploration: Myths vs. Facts
Press Release: Salazar’s Fantasy Land on East Coast Windmills

The Institute for Energy Research (IER) is a not-for-profit organization that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets. IER maintains that freely-functioning energy markets provide the most efficient and effective solutions to today’s global energy and environmental challenges and, as such, are critical to the well-being of individuals and society.