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September 2006

Ms. Renee Orr 
5-Year Program Manager
Minerals Management Service
(MS-4010), Room 3120
381 Elden Street
Herndon, Virginia 20170

RE:  Allow Access to Offshore Oil & Gas Resources

Dear Ms. Orr,

I strongly support making all available areas open for access to oil and natural gas resources.  The federal government must do more to develop a logical energy policy that effectively alleviates high consumer energy prices and reduces our reliance on imported oil.

Consumers, industry and businesses throughout the nation are struggling with rising energy prices, tighter supplies and increased reliance on imports from politically unstable areas.  It is more important than ever that the federal government allow access to all offshore oil and natural gas supplies – including those available in the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska and the Atlantic. 

I believe that responsible development of offshore resources under existing regulations in cooperation with federal, state and local governments will benefit the nation while protecting environmental and societal concerns. Increased OCS production would create increased federal revenues, create jobs, help lower the balance of payments by reducing import costs and contribute to sustained economic growth.

I believe that OCS development will result in tremendous benefit to the nation with demonstrably low risk to the environment. Recent events including hurricanes Katrina and Rita demonstrate both the results of effective environmental drilling and production technology development in the OCS and at the same time the need to expand the diversity of available acreage for OCS development. I encourage the federal government to take all necessary precautions to ensure that any expanded access adhere to established environmental safeguards.

Sincerely,

[Your name and current address]