March 2020 Lunch & Learn Recap

Thanks for (virtually) joining us yesterday for the March 2020 Lunch & Learn. The turnout was excellent and the discussion was wonderful. We appreciate your willingness to attend and participate, particularly since we know that everyone seems to be “extra” busy these days.

 

I wanted to follow-up with a few pieces of information (as promised). First, there is a link below to watch/listen to yesterday’s presentation. Please look for the Zoom Recording link below. Second, I am attaching a summary of what is happening RIGHT NOW in Congress regarding new legislation that could impact GOMESA funding. Third, I am including below some draft text that you can send to your lawmakers (if you feel comfortable doing so) encouraging them to pursue a fair and equitable solution that ensures the four energy-producing Gulf states continue to receive at least the same amount of GOMESA funding in the future, though our hope is to encourage them to revise the language to allow more revenue sharing and a removal of the sharing cap.

 

 

 

*To find email addresses for your officials, click on the links below.

 

Alabama: House https://www.house.gov/representatives#state-alabama / Senate http://www.senate.gov/states/AL/intro.htm

Louisiana: House https://www.house.gov/representatives#state-louisiana / Senate http://www.senate.gov/states/LA/intro.htm

Mississippi: House https://www.house.gov/representatives#state-mississippi / Senate http://www.senate.gov/states/MS/intro.htm

 

 

Hello (insert name),

 

I am concerned about potential funding impacts to the four energy-producing states of the Gulf of Mexico as a result of new legislation that will impact GOMESA. We have an opportunity to increase revenue sharing with the Gulf Coast to be more equitable and your help is needed. It is my understanding that the Land and Water Conservation Fund will be moving in the Senate soon, and we do not want to be left out. We are happy to see an emphasis on conservation and the National Park System, but we are concerned that this could lead to a situation of robbing Peter to pay Paul as it relates to GOMESA.

 

As we discussed, GOMESA is one of our only recurring revenue streams, and funds derived from these leases can only be used on coastal restoration and hurricane protection. We find it imperative that bills like Land and Water do not take money derived from our coast without sending any of it back. As mentioned before, we in no way, shape, or form oppose LWCF, but we feel that this bill presents an opportunity to add language to facilitate an increase in GOMESA revenues by eliminating the cap of $375 million, raising the percentage from 37.5% to 50%, and/or backdating eligible leases to the year 2000.

 

As policy makers, professionals, and coastal advocates, the GOMESA Revenue Sharing Coalition strongly urges you to push for the fair treatment of the gulf states. We ask that you actively support an increased share of funding through GOMESA as LWCF starts to move through the Senate. Once again, we only ask for equity with onshore states in how mineral revenues are disbursed.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration and if there is anything I can do to provide additional context or information, please let me know.

 

Sincerely,

 

(Insert Name)