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OCS
Resource Management &
Sustainable
Development
Report Executive Summary Minerals Management Service The United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." In addition, the President’s Council on Sustainable Development maintains that "it is essential to seek economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity together." Such an approach entails tradeoffs. On the one hand, economic development inevitably will result in degradation or elimination of environmental resources in some cases. On the other hand, our society already has decided that economic opportunities sometimes have to be forgone or handled very carefully to protect our environmental endowment. The production and consumption of energy comprise one of the fundamental components of economic development and societal well-being. However, development and use of fossil fuels deplete nonrenewable natural resources. Furthermore, they can entail costs on society, both environmental (e.g., in terms of air and water quality) and social (e.g., in terms of socioeconomic impacts of development on local communities). Therefore, any discussion of sustainable development should consider initiatives in the energy sector. This report is about the efforts of one component of the energy sector, the Offshore Minerals Management Program (OMM Program) of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), to foster a more sustainable future. While the specific definition of sustainable development used by various groups may differ considerably, two uses of the related term "sustainability" are of special interest. Environmental sustainability requires that we leave future generations an environment at least as good as our own. Economic sustainability is a broader term that requires leaving future generations no worse off than we are and corresponds to what economists call "non-declining utility." Either definition can embrace at least some substitution of one set of assets or liabilities for another, so long as the net outcome is better. Thus, the use of an exhaustible resource is not necessarily inconsistent with the concept of sustainable development. The relevant question becomes not whether something is lost but whether what is gained over a period of generations is worth more than what is lost over the same time period. This paper focuses on what MMS can do, within its mandate and authority, to assure orderly access to resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), to protect our environment, to improve safety management systems, and to obtain for the public a fair return on OCS resources. The OMM Program primarily contributes to a sustainable future in two ways. The first way is as a bridge to the future. Until alternative energy sources become viable, obtaining sufficient supplies of fossil fuels at reasonable prices will continue to be crucial to our energy security and the strength of our economy. To the extent society develops alternative fuel sources and uses the energy and income from fossil fuels to create wealth, rather than for consumption, such use may be considered sustainable. The second way the OMM Program contributes to a sustainable future is through the creation of wealth. The market value of oil and gas produced, since OCS leasing began in 1953, totals over US$385 billion. Direct government receipts from that production have totaled over $126 billion. To that we can add an unknown quantity of profits from the OCS that have added to corporate investment and stockholder wealth. The remainder of the $385 billion went to pay for labor and goods and services from other industries. The income generated by oil and gas activities makes it possible for our society to invest in research and development; improve technology and infrastructure; build social programs and public works; finance goods purchases; and, of course, develop, improve, and promote alternative energy including renewable sources. The OMM has identified several key aspects of sustainable development on which
management must continue to focus its efforts to enhance the role of the Program in
fostering a more sustainable future. The key aspects are:
Each of these aspects is discussed in some detail in the body of this report. While the OCS oil and gas program can be an important part of a bridge to a sustainable future, MMS has little influence over energy consumption patterns and the way in which the wealth created by the program is used. Therefore, MMS must focus on those factors within its authority and mandate, which include provision of an orderly process for resource exploration and development, protection of our environmental endowment, and ensuring a fair return to the public for the use of its resources. In the end, the most important contributions MMS can make to the well being of current and future generations are likely to come from its continued efforts to become the best minerals manager possible. Introduction Sustainable development is a new and evolving approach that promotes the use of human, natural, and financial resources to improve the economy, the environment, and society—in an integrated way¾ for the benefit of current and future generations. The concept is a global policy theme, and the term has been widely used since 1987 when the United Nation’s World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission) defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." In addition the Arctic Council Sustainable Development Program has added the following principles to this definition: (1) Sustainable development must be based on sound science, traditional knowledge of indigenous people, and prudent conservation and management of resources. (2) Sustainable development must be achieved through a responsive public process, which may include local, regional, and international initiatives. President Clinton named a President’s Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) to develop a strategy for sustainable development in the U.S. Membership on the Council includes five Cabinet officers, executives of major corporations, leaders of environmental organizations, and social welfare organizations. Like many groups that have studied the issue, the PCSD maintains that "it is essential to seek economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity together." This will require substantial innovation and changes, as well as some trade-off among goals. While economic development may result in degradation or elimination of some environmental resources, our society already has decided that some economic opportunities have to be forgone or handled very carefully to protect our environmental endowment. However, societies can bring innovation and change to bear on the issue to ameliorate the impacts of difficult decisions. While social equity might not always be considered necessary for sustainability, any national (or global) effort to achieve sustainable development will need the cooperation of poorer individuals (or countries). The production and consumption of energy comprise one of the fundamental components of economic development and societal well being. However, development and use of fossil fuels deplete nonrenewable natural resources, and are not without cost to society, both environmental (e.g., in terms of air and water quality) and social (e.g., in terms of socioeconomic impacts of development on local communities). Therefore, any discussion of sustainable development should consider initiatives in the energy sector. In the United States, natural gas and oil account for nearly two-thirds of the total energy consumption, and oil accounts for about 97 percent of consumption by the transportation sector. Offshore production from the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is a critical component of the domestic energy supply and now accounts for about 25 percent of the Nation’s natural gas and 22 percent of its oil production. This production is critical in reducing the need for imported oil and provides major economic and energy benefits to the Nation—including taxpayers, States, and local communities—benefits that have both national and local significance. More than 60 percent of the energy currently produced offshore (on a BTU basis) is natural gas—an environmentally preferred fuel that will likely play a key role in the Nation’s efforts to reduce air pollution. This may contribute to strategies for mitigating global warming, as proposed in the PCSD report. The Offshore Minerals Management Program (OMM Program) of the Minerals Management Service (MMS) strives to help provide a domestic energy source for the American people, while ensuring safe operations and protection of sensitive coastal and marine environments. Today’s offshore oil and gas industry is global in scope, and MMS finds itself regulating what is clearly an international industry. The MMS is committed to becoming more involved in international activities that potentially could impact our domestic program, as well as collaborative projects with other countries to promote safe and environmentally sound oil and gas operations worldwide. However, neither MMS nor any other agency or government can independently achieve sustainability. True sustainability depends upon the collective behavior of the world’s population, as well as on a host of other factors. The body of this report will discuss the concept of sustainable development and how, in general terms, MMS can carry out its responsibilities in a way that is consistent with a sustainable future. The report will also analyze the aspects of sustainable development within the OMM Program, how MMS currently carries out its responsibilities, and whether it does so in a way that is consistent with that framework. Sustainable Development and the Use of Oil and Gas Oil and gas resources are abundant but ultimately exhaustible. To understand how MMS manages these resources in a manner that is consistent with sustainable development, we need to explore the origin of the term and its accepted meaning. The term "sustainable development" and the movement behind it came out of earlier clashes between those who supported policies preserving the "sustainability" of the earth’s environment and those who advocated economic development. Eventually, some environmentalists began to acknowledge that economic development was necessary, in part to avoid imposing the costs of environmental protection on those least able to afford them, but also because economic stagnation often reduces support for environmental protection efforts. Likewise, many of those who advocated economic development recognized a parallel between protection of environmental endowments and the concept of protecting capital in any sustainable economy. So, just as a viable economy must live off its income, without a net reduction in capital over time, so must a population live within the carrying capacity of its ecosystem. The carrying capacity of the ecosystem can be seen as a form of natural capital. The common conceptual framework and a desire to seek opportunities for "win-win" outcomes is allowing previously antagonistic parties to move toward collaborative agreements where economic and environmental interests are both served. The PCSD maintains that this kind of broad-based collaboration among diverse groups is crucial to progress toward sustainable development. Likewise, although not explicitly part of a movement to promote sustainable development, MMS has worked very hard over the last decade to move away from conflict toward reaching agreement on contentious issues through collaboration with various stakeholders. While the specific definition of sustainable development used by various groups may differ considerably, one may consider two uses of the related term "sustainability." Environmental sustainability requires that we leave future generations an environment at least as good as our own. Economic sustainability is a broader term that requires leaving future generations no worse off than we are and corresponds to what economists call "non-declining utility." Either definition can embrace at least some substitution of one set of assets or liabilities for another, so long as the net outcome is better. Achieving overall sustainability requires combining both environmental and economic concepts, as well as social aspects. Thus, the use of an exhaustible resource is not necessarily inconsistent with the concept of sustainable development. The relevant question becomes not whether something is lost but whether what is gained over a period of generations is worth more than what is lost over the same time period. The key question is whether development of the resource is increasing our overall economic, environmental, and social capacities. While it is legitimate to ask whether our continued heavy reliance on fossil fuels, especially on oil and gas, is promoting a sustainable future, MMS must take a narrower view. First, MMS has no authority and little influence over the pattern of energy use in this country, much less in the world at large. Second, the extent to which MMS policies are consistent with a sustainable future is influenced heavily by the actions of local communities and State and Federal Governments, as well as those of the rest of the world. Therefore, it is important to discuss how OCS resources (and/or the proceeds thereof) can be used by governments, the oil and gas industry, and the public to create a better future. However, the focus of this paper will be on what MMS can do, within its mandate and authority, to assure orderly access to OCS resources, to protect our environment, to improve safety management systems, and to obtain for the public a fair return on OCS resources. Concept Of a "Bridge to the Future" Future generations eventually will have to (and may want to) rely more heavily on other energy sources, and government agencies and energy companies themselves are preparing for an eventual transition to nonhydrocarbon energy sources. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy not only supports domestic production of oil and gas, but also conducts research on energy technologies and promotes increased energy efficiency, use of conventional fuels in cleaner ways, and renewable energy sources. Also, some energy companies have begun to invest in alternative fuels research. However, despite promising new sources of energy that appear on the horizon, our reliance on oil and natural gas is not likely to change dramatically over the next 2 to 3 decades. Until alternative energy sources become viable, obtaining sufficient supplies of fossil fuels at reasonable prices will continue to be crucial to our energy security and the well-being of our economy. Fortunately, hydrocarbon resources are not in short supply. To keep track of the energy supply, the MMS periodically does an assessment of the OCS undiscovered resources and an annual assessment of the OCS hydrocarbon reserves. To the extent society develops alternative fuel sources and uses the energy
and income from fossil fuels to create wealth, rather than for consumption, such use may
be considered sustainable. Oil and gas development can create capacity directly
by providing production capacity for the future and indirectly by providing
income, which can be invested. Society is not limited to using this income solely to
develop new energy sources or infrastructure to support these new sources. Among the
investments that facilitate a sustainable future are:
Generation of Wealth The supply of fossil fuels not only supports the current standard of living, but also allows the creation of wealth. This, in turn, enables businesses, governments, and other organizations to develop, improve, and promote alternative energy sources, including renewable sources. The OMM Program plays an important role in the creation of wealth in the economy. The market value of oil and gas produced, since OCS leasing began in 1953, totals over $385 billion. Direct government receipts from that production have totaled over $123 billion. To that we can add an unknown quantity of profits from development of the OCS resources that have added to corporate investment and stockholder wealth. The remainder of the $385 billion went to cover expenses like labor costs, taxes, and purchase of goods and services from other industries. The income generated by oil and gas activities makes it possible for our society to invest in research and development, improved technologies and infrastructure, social programs and public works, and goods purchases. The majority of government receipts from the OMM Program (bonus bids, royalties, and rentals, now totaling about $4 billion annually) go to the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury. The OCS revenues are, for the most part, not earmarked for any particular use. However, once in the Fund, the money can be used to reduce the national deficit or to support Federal programs that assist with education, housing, transportation, etc. Some of the mineral receipts are deposited to the Land and Water Conservation Fund (and in the past to the Historic Preservation Fund), which provides grants to State and local governments for recreation and historic preservation projects (see fig. 1). The Land and Water Conservation Fund is also a source of funds for Federal land acquisition for national parks, national forests, and other outdoor recreational lands that are being maintained for use by current and future generations.
Global Environment There is a heightened interest in the global environment as reflected by such international treaties as the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gases. The U.S. Department of State has established an Undersecretary for Global Affairs and regional environmental hubs at various U.S. embassies to address environmental issues that do not stop at national boundaries. This translates into a worldwide interest in increasing the production of natural gas, so there can be a greater reliance on this environmentally preferable fuel. This is not only true in the United States, but also in Europe and Asia. The gas resources in the Caspian region and the Russian Far East will play an important role in addressing Asian environmental objectives. These interests explain why so many nations may be looking at gas hydrates as a potential energy source. Aspects of Sustainable Development in OMM The fact that MMS cannot, by itself, create a sustainable future does not
consign it to a passive role. Much of what MMS has done to become a better, more efficient
manager and regulator has been consistent with the concept of sustainable development. In
addition to providing for orderly development of OCS resources and obtaining a fair return
for the use of those resources, MMS has:
Various aspects of sustainable development can be viewed as a framework that
guides OMM management through its decisionmaking process:
Access to Resources The OMM Program uses an extensive and fairly complex planning and decision process to assure that access to OCS oil and natural gas resources is granted in accordance with the various mandates of the program, most of which are specified in the OCS Lands Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. While sustainable development has not been an explicit consideration in the planning process, the nature of the MMS mandate and the rigorous planning and decisionmaking process required of OMM have led to a program that considers the variety of effects of decisions, regulations, and policies over several decades. The primary means by which OMM fulfills its planning requirements is the 5-year program, which is an approved schedule of proposed auctions called "lease sales." Each 5-year program is developed through an iterative process in which (1) the Secretary of the Interior (who oversees MMS) announces the start of planning for the program and requests public comments, (2) the staff prepares an analysis for the Secretary, and (3) the Secretary proposes a specific 5-year schedule. The staff analysis is essentially a multidisciplinary study looking at geology, economics, environmental sensitivity, and a host of other factors relevant to the many statutory goals and considerations of the program. Each analysis covers exploration, development, and production scenarios extending approximately four decades into the future. After the initial solicitation, public comment is sought on one or two iterative proposals and supporting analyses, as well as on a draft Environmental Impact Statement. This process takes 18 months to 3 years from preparation of the original announcement to submission of the proposed final program to Congress, with approval no sooner than 60 days later. During the period between approval of the program and the beginning of the analysis for the next program, OMM conducts an annual review of the existing program and submits it to the Secretary. After a lease sale is placed on the approved version of a 5-year program, it undergoes further analysis for a year or two prior to the time it is held (or cancelled). A lease sale may be delayed or cancelled, but a new one cannot be placed on the 5-year schedule without undergoing the full analysis. The OMM Program has numerous policies and regulations that govern postlease activities as well. Successful bidders are required to gain MMS approval for Exploration Plans and Development and Production Plans before they can undertake exploration and other activities on their leases. Once activities are underway, operators must meet other requirements to ensure safety and environment protection as well as other goals of the program. Independent of the 5-year program, annual reviews, and individual lease-sale analyses, OMM conducts periodic reassessments of policies and regulations. These reassessments sometimes involve official requests for public comment, public workshops, and/or meetings with groups of constituents. Environmental Aspects of Sustainable Development While resource development and income generation are major benefits of the offshore program, there can also be significant risks associated with offshore oil and gas development. The mission of the OMM Program is to manage OCS mineral resources in an environmentally sound manner. This means protecting marine, coastal, and human environments from significant long-term negative impacts caused by OCS operations. MMS conducts environmental analyses at all stages of offshore operations. The purpose of these analyses is to ensure that negative environmental impacts are minimized and any impacts that do occur are adequately mitigated.
Climate Change The question of air emissions from OCS facilities and operations is one that can generate a lot of debate. Measures taken by MMS and industry to control oil spills and other sources of pollution in the ocean have been highly effective on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. In response to this success, the focus of environmental attention on the offshore industry has shifted to air pollution. Indeed, more stringent standards may be necessary in the future as air emissions from adjacent onshore sources increase and we learn more about the effects of air pollution on natural and human environments. The Report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations through the Commission on Sustainable Development stated that the development and use of natural gas are increasingly being advocated because natural gas emits lower levels of greenhouse gases and has a less adverse environmental impact. In fact, one of the three guiding principles endorsed by the Secretary of the Interior in developing the current OCS 5-Year Oil and Gas Program (1997-2002) was the use of natural gas as an environmentally preferred fuel.
Environmental Research The endangered bowhead whale in Alaska provides a good example of a studies application in support of sustainability. Inupiat hunters had registered their alarm at the impact offshore oil development might have on their subsistence hunting of these whales in the Beaufort Sea. In response, the MMS originally had placed a 7-month restriction on offshore activities in the area and initiated several studies to learn about bowhead numbers, migration patterns, and sound avoidance. Another study collected traditional knowledge from the Native hunters on what they had learned during their many generations of hunting in this hostile environment. As a result of these studies and information from the subsistence hunters, an accommodation was reached by which industry could operate through the year, but MMS required that industry operators consult with the subsistence hunters to time the industry activities so they would not interfere with the subsistence hunt. This response is consistent with the position of the Arctic Council, which holds that sustainable development must be achieved through a responsive public process and must be based on sound science, traditional knowledge of indigenous people, and prudent conservation and management of resources. Safe Operations Aspects of Sustainable Development
The MMS regulatory program embraces the PCSD recommendation that government should promote high environmental performance through market rewards, public recognition, and increased operational flexibility. The MMS monitors industry safety and environmental performance using measures that were developed cooperatively with industry. Top industry performers are recognized through the annual MMS Safety Award for Excellence, the Corporate Citizen awards for companies and individuals, and during periodic "best practices" workshops sponsored jointly by MMS and industry. In addition, MMS allows companies that perform well and practice SEMP (defined below) to use alternative methods to meet safety and environmental performance objectives. The MMS recognizes that technology advances alone are not enough to ensure safe and environmentally sound operations. As industry continues to develop innovative ways to produce offshore resources, MMS is working to adapt its regulatory program to changing realities. The MMS has sought to make its safety and environmental regulations increasingly performance based, so that companies are free to develop less expensive and more innovative ways of achieving desired results The processes of extracting and transporting oil and gas from the OCS can have
adverse effects on human and natural resources. However, the viability of these resources
can be sustained if the appropriate oil and gas development technology is used, and if the
number and severity of production-related injuries and pollution incidents are minimized.
The MMS program for managing oil and gas production operations includes a variety of tools
designed to protect people and the environment.
Conservation of Hydrocarbon Resources Aspects of Sustainable Development As the Nation’s designated steward of the mineral resources on the Federal OCS, the MMS is committed to achieving the proper balance between providing energy for the American people and protecting unique and sensitive coastal and marine environments. The continued use of a 5-year oil and gas program allows a controlled approach to leasing and development, which ensures that resources are developed in an orderly way and that any harm to other natural resources is minimized. To ensure that there is conservation of resources, numerous rules have been adopted by MMS, including Title 30 CFR, Notices to Lessees, and other mitigating measures. Some regulations promote the conservation of hydrocarbon resources and prevention of waste by authorizing the reinjection and subsurface storage of gas on existing leases. Other regulations impose several requirements on the flaring or venting of gas and the burning of liquid hydrocarbons. Deepwater and end-of-life royalty relief also support conservation of resources by allowing development of resources that would have been prematurely abandoned in the absence of relief being granted. Economic Aspects of Sustainable Development It may appear paradoxical that extraction and consumption of a nonrenewable resource, oil and gas, can contribute to sustainable development. In fact, with the help of these resources, a sustainable income stream can be provided for the future. The loss of "natural capital" caused by consumption of oil and gas can be balanced by the creation of manufactured or financial capital. This balancing must answer two vital questions, which are relevant to offshore oil and gas management:
The offshore industry contributes significantly to the national economy through the creation of profits. The Federal Government collects a sizeable percentage of these profits directly in the form of bonus bids for rights to develop OCS seafloor tracts, royalties on production, and rentals prior to production. From 1982-1998, an average of 60 percent of the collections from Federal offshore sources went into the U.S. Treasury General Fund. Among other expenditures, the Government uses a portion of these funds to invest in social infrastructure, which helps make the U.S. economy one of the most productive in the world. One of the areas in which some of this money is invested is in renewable energy, including many forms of energy conservation. For instance, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supports research and development of alternative fuel vehicles through several major programs. In addition, the Federal Government invests in human capital, especially education. A highly educated society tends to be more flexible and innovative, and is more likely to invent and adopt sustainable technology in the future. Most of the remainder of offshore collections is used to fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Historical Preservation Fund, as described earlier in this paper. These investments help preserve natural and social resources that, if lost, would be difficult or impossible to replace. Profit from the offshore industry not collected by the Government remains with the industry. Industry invests some of this profit, with a significant share being applied to the development of cleaner forms of gas and oil, as well as renewable energy sources. Industry also distributes some of the profit to shareholders and creditors, who may, in turn, invest in social infrastructure and human capital. The development of offshore resources also significantly impacts the regional economies of onshore areas that are near the offshore operations. The 8(g) zone refers to an area near the boundary of State and federal waters. States receive 27 percent of the oil and gas revenue from leases within this zone as compensation for resources drained from reserves that overlap Federal/State boundaries. The issue of impact assistance to States is being considered in several bills before the current Congress. The House and Senate are working to develop one consolidated bill, however, this has not occurred to date. In concept, coastal impact assistance would share a percentage of OCS revenue with states impacted by the OMM Program. The argument made by States supportive of coastal impact assistance is that onshore revenue is shared 50/50 under the Minerals Leasing Act, and that this precedent should be extended to include revenue derived from offshore mineral activities. Currently, all revenue, except that received from production in the section 8(g) zone, is deposited into the U.S. Federal Treasury. An occasional negative aspect of over-reliance on a single extractive industry is the boom and bust phenomenon associated with a cyclical industry such as oil and gas production. However, a strong regional economy in terms of infrastructure constructed and human capital created will support a more diversified economy that is better able to withstand a cyclical downturn in a single industry. Another important economic aspect of the OCS, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, is that it is a major natural gas production area. Natural gas is the least polluting fossil fuel. It is thought by many, including the present administration, to be the fuel of the early part of the next century that will power our economy into the sustainable fuels of the latter decades and beyond. Even in the short run, conversion of more of our fuel burning facilities to natural gas will greatly diminish air pollution and improve the long run sustainability of forests, waters, and farmlands now being negatively affected by acid deposition.
Transportation needs The increasing importance of energy consumption by U.S. transportation is shown in figure 2, a graph of forecasted total energy consumption by end-use (source: DOE/EIA, Annual Energy Outlook 1999):
Figure 2. Forecast of Total Energy Consumption In the forecast, demand for energy in the transportation sector grows more rapidly than population, driven by estimates of increased per capita travel and slower fuel efficiency gains. Turning to the details of future transportation consumption, figure 3 shows how gasoline and other conventional fuels are expected by DOE Energy Information Administration (EIA) to grow in relation to alternative fuels.
Figure 3 . Expected Future Growth of Fuel Consumption Conventional petroleum products dominate energy use in the transportation sector. Motor gasoline use, increasing by 1.2 percent a year in the EIA forecast, meets more than half of transportation energy demand. By 2020, total energy demand for transportation is expected to be 36.9 quadrillion Btu, compared with 25.0 quadrillion Btu in 1997. Alternative fuels are projected to displace about 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day by 2020 (about 5 percent of light-duty vehicle fuel consumption), in response to current environmental and energy legislation intended to reduce oil use. Gasoline’s share is sustained, however, by low projected gasoline prices and slower gains in fuel efficiency in conventional light-duty vehicles than was achieved during the 1980s. Sales of alternative-fuel vehicles (AFV’s) should continue to increase as a result of legislative mandates at the Federal level (e.g., the Energy Policy Act of 1992 [EPACT]) and at the State level (under the Low Emission Vehicle Program). The AFV acquisitions for fleets, predominantly fueled by compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas, represent the earliest legislated sales mandated by EPACT. Vehicles that use gaseous fuels continue to capture a large share of the AFV market through 2020, according to EIA. It should be emphasized that most types of alternative fuels suitable for transportation use are derived from natural gas or crude oil. Social Aspects of Sustainable Development The US Government collects an average of over $4 billion per year from offshore oil and gas production activities. A sizeable portion of Federal and State budgets goes into education and other social development purposes. These investments in America’s future help build a productive, well-educated society likely to make wise future decisions to sustain the natural environment. Some of these funds are used to purchase land and other properties for public use, primarily to preserve natural environments and to create facilities for social activities. This investment represents a strong commitment to an American future with adequate environmental resources and social support facilities. Offshore oil and gas make a vital contribution to America’s energy security. By providing more than one-fourth of U.S. gas production and more than one-sixth of oil production, offshore resources help to lessen the potential instability associated with imported energy resources. The security provided by stable markets can help a society plan and prepare for a rational, sustainable future. A sizeable and growing portion of the MMS environmental research budget is spent each year on socioeconomic studies designed to improve MMS social and economic impact assessment and to aid community and state planning efforts. Better local and State planning can be an important element in building a sustainable society. In addition, MMS works with coastal States and local communities to find suitable sources of sand on the OCS to rebuild beaches, dunes, and wetlands. Coastal communities use the reconstructed sand formations to address erosion problems and protect recreation and tourism resources. International Aspects of Sustainable Development While primarily responsible for the management of mineral resources located on the Nation’s OCS, the MMS finds itself regulating what is clearly a global industry. The offshore oil and gas industry routinely moves equipment, rigs and personnel from one part of the world to another pursuing investment opportunities. A company’s investment dollars will go where the prospects are and where the regulatory regime is rational. A key objective of MMS’ international program is to identify opportunities that potentially could enhance its domestic policies and programs. This policy is supported by an evolving international program resulting, in part, from: (1) the growing interdependence of nations developing their offshore oil and gas resources; and (2) the growing trend to internationalize offshore oil and gas standards. Because of MMS’ regulatory expertise as well as its environmental and safety record, the international community views MMS as a world leader in the management of offshore mineral resources. Increasingly, other nations and international organizations seek MMS participation when discussing offshore issues such as the development of guidelines for satisfactory safety and environmental management systems and the regional goals that such systems should aim to achieve. For example, MMS has sent multidisciplinary teams to provide seminars for regulators in Russia and Turkmenistan, among other countries. The MMS takes an active approach to identify and become involved in international initiatives that promote better integration of safety and environmental concerns into offshore development decision-making. Through direct involvement with international organizations (e.g., International Maritime Organization, International Regulators Forum, International Association of Drilling Contractors, International Association of Oil and Gas Producers, International Standards Organization, and Arctic Council) and being knowledgeable of practices of other regulatory regimes, the MMS is better able to know, understand and influence international activities. If MMS chooses not be involved, other Governments, foreign competitors, and less knowledgeable groups would be allowed to make key decisions on issues and activities that could impact MMS domestic programs. Today, many offshore oil and gas producing nations are considering what role internationally developed standards should play in their overall regulatory regime. Governments understand that, if done correctly, a set of internationalized standards that allows for regional differences can lower costs, make more resources economic to produce, and raise worldwide safety and environmental performance. If done incorrectly, internationalized standards that are imposed on the domestic industry from external sources can be inefficient, costly, and burdensome. Conclusions Offshore oil and natural gas resources can play an important role in providing future generations with standards of living that equal or exceed those that exist today. Fossil fuel energy is vital to the health of today’s economy and will remain so for the next few decades. Substantial wealth is created through the use of energy resources, and this wealth can be used to provide a better future. However, because oil and gas are exhaustible resources the production and use of which can cause environmental damage, society at large should consider how the wealth created by these resources is used. The MMS must be vigilant in fulfilling its duties to properly manage OCS oil and gas resources, protect the environment, and ensure receipt of fair market value. In addition, because of conflicting opinions regarding priority levels, MMS must continue its efforts to promote consensus among its various stakeholders. While MMS needs to more explicitly consider the broader goal of sustainable development whenever it revisits long-term goals and plans, sustainable development can ultimately be achieved only through the collective actions of individuals and groups of individuals throughout the world. In this context, the most important contribution MMS can make is to focus on those policies and outcomes it can reasonably expect to influence and to continue efforts to be the best minerals manager possible. References American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 75, Development of a Safety and Environmental Management Program for OCS Operations and Facilities. American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 75, Final Report on Implementation Status of API RP75, 1998 Arctic Council, Arctic Offshore Oil and Gas Guidelines, 1997. Arctic Council, Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the Arctic, 1997. European Partners for the Environment, http//:www.epe.be, 1999 Feasibility Study Report—The Russian/American/Norwegian Project, Safety and Environmental Regime for Russian Offshore Oil and Gas Operations, 1998. Kallaur, C., Importance of Voluntary Standards for Federal Agencies, American Petroleum Standards Conference, Dallas, Texas. June 16, 1998. Minerals Management Service, Budget Justifications and Annual Performance Plan, Fiscal Year 2000 Minerals Management Service, Offshore Minerals Management Strategic Plan. Minerals Management Service, Proposed Final Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program 1997 to 2002: Decision Document, August 1996. Minerals Management Service, The Technology Assessment and Research (TA&R) Program, www.mms.gov/tarp/home.htm, 1999. President’s Council on Sustainable Development, Sustainable America: A New Consensus for Prosperity, Opportunity, and a Healthy Environment for the Future, Draft Report, February 1996. President’s Council on Sustainable Development, Towards a Sustainable America: Advancing Prosperity, Opportunity, and a Healthy Environment for the 21st Century, May 1999. Tibbs, Hardin, Sustainability: The Source of the Crisis; in Global Business Network; http://www.gbn.org/Scenrios/Sustainability. The World Commission on Environment and Development; Our Common Future, Oxford University Press. U.S. Code of Federal Regulation. Title 30 CFR Part 250 and Part 253. U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 1999, With Projections to 2020, DOE/EIA, Office of Integrated Analysis and Forecasting, December 1998, http://www.eia.doe.gov U.S. Interagency Working Group on Sustainable Development Indicators, Sustainable
Development in the United States—An Experimental Set of Indicators, December 1998
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