Just The Facts

JUST THE FACTS!

A reduction in funding for the restoration and protection of our natural resources is not the only consequence of a lapsed leasing plan. Without a 5-year plan, U.S. energy development will be impacted, and energy production will decrease. In order to meet our energy demands, the U.S. will be forced to turn to foreign-produced energy. This is contrary to our current climate goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A 2016 Bureau of Ocean Energy Management report, produced under the Obama-Biden Administration, found emissions would increase without new Gulf of Mexico lease sales because foreign-produced oil would take its place, and “the production and transport of that foreign oil would emit more” greenhouse gases. Since the pausing and subsequent cancellation of regularly scheduled lease sales on public lands and waters, gasoline and natural gas prices have soared; all while the White House has begged foreign countries with environmental inferior practices to increase production. Recent research regarding carbon emissions reveals that U.S. Gulf of Mexico production has approximately half the carbon intensity per barrel of other producing regions worldwide.