Uncertain Landscape Awaits New Offshore Drilling Efforts

Backers of wider offshore drilling, stymied in 2005, are planning new legislative efforts this year to tap more oil and gas on the outer continental shelf as lawmakers, industry and activists brace for renewed battle on the issue.

Supporters of new access will likely argue that high winter heating bills bolster their case, especially with respect to natural gas. But several sources say moving offshore drilling legislation and other controversial bills this year will be complicated by the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal in the House, the House leadership shake-up and the approaching midterm congressional elections.

The major goals are providing states the ability to “opt out” of leasing bans that now cover most areas outside the western Gulf of Mexico, opening the Gulf of Mexico’s Lease Sale 181 area, in addition to creating state-federal revenue sharing. Also, an even more aggressive effort to lift offshore bans for natural gas drilling — spearheaded by Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.) — has attracted nearly 120 cosponsors so far.

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