(Washington, DC) - Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana) issued the following statement after Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazarannounced the first offshore oil and gas lease sale in the Western Gulf of Mexico will take place tomorrow in New Orleans:

“As the saying goes, ‘Better late than never.’ The sale of offshore oil and gas leases marks the first time Secretary Salazar will allow Louisiana businesses to explore new territories since issuing a devastating moratorium on Gulf energy exploration last year. South Louisiana has suffered long enough due to the overbearing restrictions imposed on the oil and natural gas industry in the region. I am grateful the time has come to once again harvest Louisiana’s natural energy resources and increase domestic energy production.”

Boustany is the leader in Congress for enhanced exploration and production of our domestic resources. He is a primary advocate for legislation to promote Gulf Coast energy production and to create a sound American energy policy.

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