Landrieu Responds To Court Order Giving BOERME Time Limit On Drilling Applications
WASHINGTON – United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today issued the following statement in response to U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman’s order that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) must act within 30 days on five pending applications for oil and gas drilling permits:
Sen. Landrieu said, “Once again, BOEMRE’s delay tactics to avoid issuing new drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico have drawn federal court intervention. Just two weeks ago, Judge Feldman found Secretary Salazar in contempt for his failure to comply with an earlier order to lift the moratorium on permits. Now, Judge Feldman is giving BOEMRE a deadline to do its job.
“It’s been more than four months since BOEMRE declared the moratorium over, and yet not a single new deepwater drilling permit has been issued. Since the oil spill, only 31 shallow water permits and a single exploratory permit have been issued.”
Sen. Landrieu asked, “What’s the matter with this agency? Do they think they are above the law? Their foot-dragging is squeezing Louisiana’s economy. Rigs are leaving the Gulf for other parts of the world, taking thousands of jobs with them. Just last week, one company, Seahawk Drilling, filed for bankruptcy because it can’t get a drilling permit. It’s high time that BOEMRE complied with federal court orders and help Louisiana’s oil and gas industry get back on its feet.”
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
