The past year was a tumultuous one as many energy challenges throughout the country disrupted everyday life for Americans.
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) believes offshore energy production can help solve these energy challenges as well as provide affordable energy and jobs for Americans.
"Energy policy should be front and center in the new Congress," NOIA President Erik Milito said in a statement. "2022 was the year of the unexpected as we all witnessed disruptive, debilitating and unnecessary energy crises in various regions. The lessons our policymakers should learn is that energy should be nonpartisan.
"Last year a Democratic-controlled Congress granted American offshore oil and gas production a reprieve from canceled lease sales and permitting delays through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)," he added. "Offshore energy benefits every American, regardless of party. Everyone wins through affordable energy, good-paying and accessible jobs, and domestic energy production that advances climate solutions and provides an alternative to energy from higher-emitting geopolitical adversaries such as Russia."
The U.S. announced in March economic sanctions against Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. This resulted in a ban on oil and gas imports from Russia, according to Energy Now. To help address the shortfall in oil, the White House ordered the tapping of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve causing the SPR to reach its lowest levels ever.
The Daily Caller reported in 2022 that one in six American homes were behind on their electricity bills due to elevated energy prices persisting across the country. The price of natural gas also jumped to its highest price since 2008.
The House Committee on Natural Resources released a background template for the hearing on unleashing America’s energy and mineral potential.
It stated, "The Department of Interior aims to double renewable energy production from offshore wind to a total of 30 gigawatts by 2030. Wind energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) has the potential to create jobs and diversify the energy sector. ..Stable domestic production of energy and mineral resources is necessary to the economic and national security of the United States."
The National Ocean Industries Association released a statement regarding offshore energy production in November 2022, detailing what it believes are the benefits of offshore energy production.
“With growing offshore wind opportunities, the states along the central Atlantic coast have a chance to become part of the next wave of offshore wind hubs," it said. "While these states will clearly benefit tremendously from jobs and investment associated with offshore wind development, the benefits will stretch across our nation."
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) is an industry group geared toward representing the offshore oil, gas and wind industries and advancing the business and professional interests of these industries.
