The
NewsRoom
Media Advisory
Release # 3098
Date: June 10, 2004
America's Dependence on Foreign Oil and Gas to
Deepen:
New Frontiers May Offer Domestic Alternatives
Official Says
America has grown increasingly
reliant on oil and natural gas to fuel its economy. Today, Gasoline
prices are nearly 50% higher than last summer, oil prices are at a
25-year high and natural gas prices have reached sustained high
historic levels.
The good news is that a
significant portion of the domestic supply to meet America’s growing
energy needs comes from Federal lands, according to Johnnie Burton,
director of the Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management
Service.
Last year the underwater lands
that MMS manages produced more oil for U.S. consumers than was
imported from Saudi Arabia. It also produced more natural gas than
was imported from Canada – our number one foreign supplier. Bringing
this domestic energy to the southeast region is critical for the
growth of the local economy throughout the Eastern seaboard, including
Georgia, according to Burton.
Ms. Burton will deliver her
energy awareness message, “America’s National Energy Policy – Making
Choices” June 14 to the Augusta Kiwanis, June 15 to the Warner Robbins
Rotary Club, and Jun 16 to the Byron and Macon Rotary Clubs.
Media should call MMS
Public Affairs Office at (202) 208-3985 to coordinate coverage or to
schedule follow-up interviews.
What:
Speech
- America’s National Energy Policy – Making Choices
When:
12:30 p.m.
June 14, 2004
Where: Augusta
Kiwanis Club
Richmond Civic Center, Augusta, GA
When: 12:00 p.m.
June 15, 2004
Where: Warner
Robbins Rotary Club
Wellstone Center (Maple Drive/Watson Boulevard)
When:
7:45 a.m.
June 16, 2004
Where:
Byron Rotary
Club
Jan’s
Country Kitchen
When:
12:30 p.m.
June 16, 2004
Where: Macon Rotary
Club
Macon Centerplex (Monument Room)
The Minerals Management
Service is the federal agency in the U.S. Department of the Interior
that manages the nation’s oil, natural gas, and other mineral
resources on the Outer Continental Shelf in Federal offshore waters.
The agency also collects, accounts for, and disburses mineral revenues
from Federal and American Indian lands. MMS disbursed more than $8
billion in FY 2003 and more than $135 billion since the agency was
created in 1982. Nearly $1 billion from those revenues go into
the Land and Water Conservation Fund annually for the acquisition and
development of state and Federal park and recreation lands.
Relevant Web Sites
MMS Main Website
Gulf of Mexico Website
Media Contacts
Nicolette Nye
(202) 208-3985
MMS: Securing Ocean Energy & Economic Value for America
U.S. Department of the Interior |