Trump’s order would withdraw certain areas of the American outer continental shelf from leasing disposition and “prevents consideration of these areas for any leasing for purposes of exploration, development, or production,” the White House said in a Sept. 8 statement. It applies for a 10-year period between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2032.
The spokesperson, Stephen Boutwell , said the ban would affect traditional sources of energy such as oil and gas as well renewables.
“The withdrawal includes all energy leasing, including conventional and renewable energy, beginning on July 1, 2022,” Boutwell said in an email to The Epoch Times. “No new leases will be issued offshore North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, for a 10-year period beginning July 1, 2022.”
However, the ban will not apply to existing leases in the areas withdrawn.
Criticism
While the crowd at Newport News reacted positively to Trump’s announcement, National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito criticized the Atlantic energy moratorium.“Americans are trying to climb back from a historic economic downturn, and today’s announcement places additional offshore energy development out of reach and locks away much needed investment and jobs,” Milito said.
“An offshore moratorium that stretches from the Eastern Gulf of Mexico to the top of North Carolina’s offshore areas needlessly jeopardizes our nation’s long-term economic and national security. Time and time again, we have seen how domestic energy moratoriums only lead to outsourcing of energy production and economic growth as countries such as Russia happily wait in the wings to make up our domestic energy supply gap,” he said.
“Without a clear and stable regulatory horizon,“ Milito said, ”interest and investment in developing offshore wind resources will be diminished.”
