Source:  PRESS RELEASE, 7/12/11

The Honorable Richard Burr
United States Senate
217 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC  20510

Dear Senator Burr:

I am writing to request that you sponsor legislation in the Senate to ensure that North Carolina’s interests are protected in the event the United States Department of the Interior authorizes oil and gas exploration in the Outer Continental Shelf Waters off the coast of North Carolina.  

In order to create jobs, lower energy costs and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, we must simultaneously pursue multiple energy strategies.  For example, we should expand the production of natural gas and biofuels, increase fuel efficiency and speed up the development of cleaner sources of electricity, like wind, solar, clean coal and nuclear power.  
In addition to these other strategies, developing oil and gas from offshore sources—if it is done safely—has the potential to both improve North Carolina’s economy and boost domestic energy production.  The decision regarding whether to authorize offshore energy exploration rests with the federal government.  As the United States Department of the Interior considers authorizing oil and gas production off the coast of North Carolina, I want to ensure that our state’s interests are protected.  That means that exploration should be done safely and in a manner that protects North Carolina’s pristine coastal environment and, if energy is produced off the coast of North Carolina, North Carolina must receive its fair share of any royalties.  I encourage you to introduce legislation in the Senate that ensures that these two objectives are accomplished if the federal government authorizes offshore oil and gas exploration.  

I look forward to continuing to work with you for a robust energy policy and to protect North Carolina.  

Sincerely,



Beverly Eaves Perdue