Offshore Drilling

 

Interior Chief Says Offshore Drilling Plan Not 'Indefinitely Sidelined'. According to The Hill, “Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said Tuesday the department will complete development of a five-year offshore drilling plan, despite earlier comments that plan had been put on hold. Responding to questions from Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) in reference to a Wall Street Journal interview in which he said the the plan had been indefinitely sidelined, Bernhardt said the department still has a few more years to complete its plan before a new one is required in 2022. Pingree, who referred to offshore drilling as universally opposed in Maine, pushed Bernhardt to take it completely off the table. The Interior chief assured her that state concerns would be paramount in making a determination. ‘I’m not aware of a single lease that was ever developed over the opposition of a state,’ he said. Bernhardt said he paused the development of the five-year plan while the courts weigh designations from former President Barack Obama that protected parts of the Alaska and Atlantic coasts from offshore development. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) questioned why Interior was continuing to process permits for seismic exploration of underwater oil reserves, particularly given the risks the process poses to marine life.” [The Hill, 5/8/19 (=)]

 

Definitely Not Indefinitely. According to Politico, “Bernhardt said Tuesday he wasn’t rushing to publish the five-year offshore drilling plan that former Secretary Ryan Zinke aimed to release last year, Pro’s Ben Lefebvre reports. The secretary appeared before a House Appropriations subcommittee where he disputed the characterization from an interview he gave to The Wall Street Journal that he had ‘indefinitely’ shelved the plan. ‘I don’t think that article quotes me as saying ‘sidelined indefinitely,’ Bernhardt said. ‘Those are not words I would have used.’ But he added lawmakers should not expect to see any new proposal soon: ‘I’ll promise you that a plan isn’t imminent at this time.’” [Politico, 5/8/19 (=)]

 

4 Takeaways From Bernhardt's Hill Appearance. According to E&E News, “Coastal lawmakers, including Pingree and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), sought clarification from Bernhardt on the administration’s controversial offshore drilling proposal, now on ice for a bit as the department decides how to proceed after a recent court decision (E&E News PM, April 25). The ruling reinstated an Obama-era ban on oil and gas leasing in parts of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. ‘My perspective is we have a plan in place until 2022,’ Bernhardt said, referring to the current five-year plan implemented during the Obama administration. ‘So I have a little time to get it straight,’ he said. He also explained that the process, and the department’s approach, dictates that everything is still on the table when it comes to its proposal to open up more than 90% of the outer continental shelf. Still, the issue is an explosive one for coastal Republicans and Democrats — something Bernhardt is acutely aware of. He repeatedly assured Pingree that states’ views on offshore drilling are ‘very important’ in the final analysis. ‘I will tell you this: There is no way a plan is going forward without a lot of comment. I’m not going to surprise you if we go forward with a plan, and I’ll promise you that a plan is not imminent at this time,’ the secretary said.” [E&E News, 5/8/19 (=)]

 

Marine Plastic

 

'Game Of Thrones' Coffee Cup Snafu Draws Greenpeace's Attention. According to Fox News, “The ‘Game of Thrones’ coffee cup mishap drew the attention of Greenpeace on Tuesday. The environment activist organization used the hit HBO series’ snafu to promote awareness about single-use plastic. The group’s Twitter handle urged social media users to ‘take a stand against plastic pollution’ and directed them to a statement directed at Nestle. ‘Plastic pollution is jeopardizing human health and harming marine animals like whales and sea turtles at alarming rates,’ the statement said, accusing Nestle of being ‘one of the worst plastic polluters.’ Greenpeace took the opportunity to capitalize on a viral moment that occurred on Sunday’s episode ‘Game of Thrones’ in which eagle-eyed views spotted what appeared to be a coffee cup on a table while the show’s key characters were celebrating defeating the Night King at Winterfell.” [Fox News, 5/7/19 (=)]

 

 

 

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