Direct revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling to increased coastal hurricane protection

Congress expected to address energy in 2010

Updated: Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 | By Angie Drobnic Holan

Congress kept busy in 2009 with legislation on health care and financial regulations, which means energy will be on the agenda in 2010.

There are several bills introduced that would expand offshore drilling. At least one would send the extra money to coastal states, in part to address "coastal restoration, environmental restoration, and beach replenishment."

A 2006 law would send more revenues to coastal states for protecting coastlines, but the bulk of the money doesn't reach states until 2017. Some conservationists are urging that this timetable be accelerated, but we can't find any evidence that it has been.

We'll be watching in 2010 to see what happens with offshore oil drilling. It's possible such a measure could be part of a cap-and-trade bill on climate change, or it may pass separately.

Since legislation has been introduced that would direct revenues from drilling to states for coastal protection, we rate this promise In the Works.

Sources: CQ.com, Bills Would Allow Some Expansion of Offshore Drilling in Exchange for Higher Fees, Sept. 9, 2009

Politico, Senate Democrats to W.H.: Drop cap-and-trade , Dec. 27, 2009

Thomas, H.R.2227, American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act (Introduced in House)

Thomas, H.R.3534, Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2009 (Introduced in House)

The Times-Picayune, Coastal restoration and business interests conflict in halls of Congress , Sept. 23, 2009

America's Energy Coast, A Region at Risk: Preventing the Loss of Vital National Assets , Nov. 4, 2009
Kerry-Lieberman-Graham Framework for cap and trade bill , Dec. 10, 2009