Scalise: Lifting of Moratorium is a Mirage

"Permitorium" still exists with no end in sight

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise today issued the following statement after the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the offshore drilling moratorium has been lifted. 

“Today’s announcement does nothing to address the uncertainty that has caused thousands of people to lose their jobs in the energy industry,” Scalise said.  “Until they lay out a clear path toward the issuing of new drilling permits, the Obama administration continues to send the message that they’ve established a ‘permitorium’ that denies people the ability to go back to work even if they’re complying with increased safety standards.

“The administration needs to stop playing games with the people who work in America’s energy industry, and finally lay out a clear path that allows permits to be issued using safer standards that quickly get people back to work. One of the biggest factors leading to job losses in the energy industry is the uncertainty that exists in the permitting process, and today’s announcement does nothing to address those concerns.”

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Contact: Stephen Bell
202-226-9113