‘CNMI could benefit from energy crisis’

With crude oil over $140 a barrel, gasoline averaging nationwide at $4.11 cents, and costing over $5 a gallon in the CNMI, the energy crisis is hurting everyone.

On Monday, President Bush lifted an executive order that prohibited offshore drilling to increase domestic production of oil, and help drive down prices. However, a law exists that prohibits offshore drilling. This would have to be repealed before drilling can begin. Rep. Don Young (R, AK) the Ranking Member of the Resources Committee, has vowed to support the President and repeal that law.

Young’s bill, H.R. 6108, which provides for the exploration, development and production of mineral resources on the outer Continental Shelf will also provide, if passed, a valuable asset for the CNMI, and that is ownership of its submerged lands.

Young has added a section to the bill that will extend submerged land rights for all coastal states and territories to 12 miles from 3 miles. He has also included the Northern Marianas in the definition of adjacent state.

This legislation for the first time would treat all territories as a state and would provide the same benefits for minerals as a coastal state receives.

“I have spoken to Congressman Young on several occasions about our submerged land problems, and am very pleased that he included us and all of the territories in this legislation. Any attempt to get the CNMI a grant of its submerged land by ourselves would limit us to the 3 miles that the other territories and coastal states currently have. However, Young, is trying to extend ownership of submerged lands for all applicable states and territories to 12 miles and for the first time including the CNMI,” explained Tenorio.

“Obviously this is very important to us. The CNMI needs ownership of its submerged lands, and it needs the rights to the minerals in our adjacent seas. This is also the first time that extending the submerged land boundary for all adjacent states is under consideration. Unfortunately, H.R. 6108 is very controversial and the Democrats are likely to fight it. For environmental reasons they are opposed to offshore drilling. I will be contacting the Congressional Delegation for all adjacent areas, including Hawaii, to see that it is passed,” added Tenorio. [B][I](PR)
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