NCGA Disappointed With House Vote to Continue Moratorium on OCS Natural Gas Drilling (05-19-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is disappointed by the 217-203 House vote to support the Putnam-Capps Amendment, which keeps in place a 25-year moratorium on natural gas drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

NCGA opposed the Putnam-Capps Amendment because it keeps in place an outdated energy policy that will negatively impact the United States’ ability to provide the opportunity to develop a domestic supply and alleviate the increasing prices of natural gas and nitrogen fertilizer. The amendment was offered to the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill on the House floor last night by Reps. Adam H. Putnam (R-Fla.), Lois Capps (D-Calif.), Jim Davis (D-Fla.), Mark Foley (R-Fla.), C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).

Rep. John Peterson’s (R-Pa.) provision in the fiscal year 2007 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill would have lifted the 25-year-old moratoria on the drilling and exploration of offshore natural gas. The moratorium covers both coasts and the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Peterson’s amendment would have only removed the appropriations on federal spending to lease the areas under moratorium. Authorizing legislation would still have been required.

“While disappointed by the outcome last night, it was a monumental achievement to get more than 200 votes in the House to support offshore exploration and production for natural gas,” said Leon Corzine, NCGA chairman. “Representatives Peterson and [Neil] Abercrombie should be saluted for this accomplishment. Congress had an opportunity to support language that would have put our nation on the path to developing our own energy resources for domestic natural gas supplies and provide relief to the nation’s farmers, manufacturers and consumers.”

Corzine noted corn growers are worried because of the effects already felt by the high prices for natural gas and fertilizer, but they are optimistic the House will address a comprehensive natural gas supply policy in June.