MMS Issues Draft
Proposed Program (DPP) – January 16, 2009
The
Draft
Proposed Program
(3.87 MB PDF)
is the second step in a multi-year process to develop a new oil
and gas leasing program. The DPP seeks public comment on all aspects of
the new program for 2010-2015 including energy development and economic
and environmental issues in the OCS areas.
For the DPP, MMS proposes 31 OCS lease sales in all or some portion of
12 of the 26 planning areas—4 areas off Alaska, 2 areas off the Pacific
coast, 3 areas in the Gulf of Mexico, and 3 areas off the Atlantic
coast. The DPP is just a starting place, designed to encourage
discussions about the OCS areas of greatest interest and potential. Any
new areas that are included in the final program will not be available
for leasing until the 5-Year Program has been completed and approved. No
area can be leased without being included in the then current approved
5-year program.
On
February 10, 2009, Secretary Salazar announced his strategy for
developing an offshore energy plan that includes conventional and
renewable energy resources. As part of his 4-step plan, the comment
period for the DPP was extended for an additional 180 days to September
21, 2009 in order to provide additional time for input from states,
stakeholders and affected communities.
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