Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle provided testimony today for a hearing in the nation’s capitol on Domestic Energy Production through Offshore Exploration and Equitable Treatment of State Holdings Act of 2006. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Resources received a ten-page summary from Secretary Angelle that urged Congress to share offshore revenue with states that allow offshore energy production. Angelle said that Louisiana does not have the funds for needed improvements to infrastructure which supports oil and gas activities, but the funding should come from sharing 50 percent of the revenues from his state’s outer continental shelf (OCS) production. He said the funding would be directed toward coastal protection exclusively if a statewide Constitutional amendment is passed by voters in the fall of 2006.

Secretary Angelle said that Governor Blanco supports U. S. Rep. Bobby Jindal’s current proposal that would provide the state with 75 percent of oil and gas royalties from three to 12 miles offshore and 50 percent when extracted beyond 12 miles. Over the past decade, the Louisiana Congressional delegation has sought federal legislation to get a fair share of offshore monies because of the state’s significant role in supplying energy to the nation. "Among the 50 states, Louisiana ranks first in total crude oil production including OCS production and second in total natural gas production," Angelle said.

Angelle’s complete testimony is provided online at this link.