Political Quotes

“As part of the Interior Department's 5-year plan, they are preparing to allow companies to reevaluate the potential oil and gas resources in the Mid- and South Atlantic using seismic and other testing. The Interior Department is currently going through the process of preparing a programmatic environmental impact statement for that testing because they have received nine permit requests for seismic airgun surveys. They have determined that because of the scope of interest, a programmatic EIS under the National Environmental Policy Act is needed prior to permitting any new, large-scale seismic surveys. The programmatic EIS would establish a framework for future NEPA evaluations of site-specific actions while identifying and analyzing mitigation measures for future programmatic use. Despite the claims of the majority, Mr. Chair, the Interior Department already intends to finish the programmatic EIS by the end of this year. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Beaudreau testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on May 16 of this year that: In the spring of 2012, BOEM released the draft programmatic environmental impact statement, or PEIS, for proposed geological and geophysical activities in the Mid- and South Atlantic for public comment.…”