Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, today released the following statement regarding the suspension of public meetings and input on the proposed oil and gas lease sales off the coast of Virginia.
“We remain deeply concerned by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and getting to its root cause, however, today’s decision runs contrary to the Administration’s commitment to refrain from snap judgments. The Administration should make clear that this is a temporary measure. Now especially is not the time to be cancelling a transparent process to assess the prospects for and potential environmental impacts of offshore exploration. It is the very process of soliciting public input that strengthens the integrity of the exploration permits. ”