Offshore Drilling and Oil Exploration

With oil prices hitting record highs (see this May 2008 Economic Newsletter from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas), there seems to be increased discussion about offshore oil drilling.

Here are some recent congressional hearings on the subject of oil drilling, exploration, in/dependence, etc.:
"Energy security and oil dependence : recommendations on policies and funding to reduce U.S. oil dependence"
"The Minerals Management Service’s proposed five-year program for oil and gas leasing on the outer continental shelf" (also available in print at McHenry library).

A number of congressional committees, including the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and the Senate Committee on Appropriations, are investigating this subject.

The White House has published a Fact Sheet: Allowing Offshore Exploration to Help Address Rising Fuel Costs; also be sure to check out the White House Energy page,.


To get some historical perspective, check out:
Former President George Bush's "Statement on Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Development" on June 26, 1990 and Former President Clinton's "Remarks to the National Oceans Conference in Monterey, California" on June 12, 1998 (both from the American Presidency Project at UCSB)
Public Law 101-512, passed November 5, 1990.
The brief Congressional Research Service report "Outer Continental Shelf: Debate Over Oil and Gas Leasing and Revenue Sharing" published October 2005.

The following government agencies also offer some information on offshore oil drilling and oil exploration:
Energy Information Administration
Minerals Management Service
US Department of Energy
California Coastal Commission
US Commission on Ocean Policy (active 2000-2004)

Also try searching in these library (OCA required) databases:
Lexis Nexis Congressional
CQ Weekly
CQ Public Affairs Collection

And keep watching the news headlines.