House leaders call for OCS drilling

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Blocking the development of oil and natural gas reserves off U.S. shores means blocking access to jobs and federal revenue, House leaders complained.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced in January the opening of 38 million acres for oil exploration in some parts of the Gulf of Mexico. His critics said a more ambitious plan would include areas off both the western and eastern coasts and the whole eastern Gulf of Mexico.

"Opening up new areas of the Outer Continental Shelf will bring new jobs, new energy, and new revenues to the Treasury (Department), all at a time where each of these benefits is desperately needed," a letter signed by leaders in the Republican-led House Natural Resources Committee members read.

The letter, addressed to U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, said safety and environmental restrictions implemented in the wake of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 mean new offshore drilling would be safe.

The House of Representatives next week considers a bill, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, which its backers say would force the White House to open more offshore areas to oil and natural gas development.