CL: Lawmakers push for more drilling permits

WASHINGTON — The administration's "slow-walking'' of drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico is costing thousands of jobs and crippling the Gulf region's economy, Gulf Coast officials told Congress Wednesday.

"We continue to feel the burden of regulatory uncertainty, which has led to the freezing of investment and expenditures and consequently a drag on our economy,'' Scott Angelle, secretary of Louisiana's Department of Natural Resources, told members of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Wednesday's hearing focused on the impact of last year's moratorium on deepwater drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf Coast lawmakers and officials from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama say, even though the temporary ban was lifted late last year, federal officials have been slow to issue permits. They say that's created a "de facto'' ban on drilling in deep and shallow waters.

Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., chairman of the committee, vowed Wednesday to introduce legislation later this month that would speed the permit process and reverse the administration's plan to ban offshore drilling outside the Gulf of Mexico.

"The Obama administration seems unmoved by thousands of lost jobs, rapidly rising gasoline prices and the threat these high prices pose to our economy,'' Hastings said.

Later Wednesday, Gulf Coast lawmakers, including Republican members from Mississippi, warned again that the administration's inaction in issuing new drilling permits will decimate the region's economy.

Fourth District Rep. Steve Palazzo said last year's moratorium has cost the region as many as 12,000 jobs and has made residents in the Gulf feel "powerless.''

"We just keep getting hit on every front,'' Palazzo said. '"Please, we need these jobs.''

Third District Rep. Gregg Harper also urged the administration to issue more permits and expand energy production in the Gulf.

"Instead of slowing the approval process for new offshore drilling permits, the president should be promoting increased domestic energy production from oil, renewables, natural gas, clean coal technology and nuclear power - ultimately leading to an energy-independent America,'' Harper said in a statement.

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