WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the comment period for the proposed 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program opened to the public. The Department of Interior will be collecting public comments for 60 days, through March 9, 2018. Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) released the following statement to encourage residents living on the central coast of California to participate and share their comments:

“I have heard from many community members who are very concerned about the potential for oil exploration and drilling off of the coast of California. While Congress works to address this issue legislatively, it is important for our constituents to share why they oppose the proposed program directly with the Trump Administration. I encourage everyone in our community to speak out and participate in this public comment period.”

On January 4, 2018, the Trump Administration announced its plan to open all federal U.S. waters, including 90 percent of the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), for potential oil and gas exploration and development. The Draft Proposed Program (DPP) recommends two oil drill lease opportunities off of the central coast of California.

Comments can be made through the regulations.gov web portal. Navigate to http://www.regulations.gov and under the Search tab, in the space provided, type in Docket ID: BOEM-2017-0074 to submit comments and to view other comments already submitted. Information on using www.regulations.gov, including instructions for accessing documents, submitting comments, and viewing the docket after the close of the comment period, is available through the links under the box entitled “Are you new to this site?”

Comments can also be made by mail, in an envelope labeled “Comments for the 2019-2024 Draft Proposed National Oil and Gas Leasing Program” and mailed (or hand delivered) to Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Chief, National Oil and Gas Leasing Program Development and Coordination Branch, Leasing Division, Office of Strategic Resources, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (VAM-LD), 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166-9216, telephone (703) 787-1613. Written comments may also be hand delivered at a public meeting to the BOEM official in charge.