U.S. governors want more work offshore

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HOUSTON, May 7 (UPI) -- There's a disconnect between state needs and U.S. regulations that inhibits offshore energy development, U.S. governors said.

Nine governors told an offshore energy conference in Houston that development on the Outer Continental Shelf was vital for conventional and renewable energy sectors.

"The federal regulatory environment is preventing independence, preventing the effectiveness of our industry," Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell was quoted by energy reporting website Rigzone as saying. "Those places that are open to development, that are allowed to grow, do and are profiting beautifully."

Parnell is a member of an OCS coalition that includes eight leaders from southern and East Coast states. The group since 2011 pressed the government for a better opportunity to develop offshore oil, natural gas and wind technology.

The U.S. government has opened more areas in the Gulf of Mexico to oil companies under a five-year lease plan and recently proposed similar developments for wind energy in the Atlantic. Regional leaders said oil and gas should follow wind energy development.

Parnell said lawmakers were takng OCS development more seriously than before.

"Our mission is simple -- improve dialogue, understand the resource base, create revenue and become good stewards in developing the resources in our waters," added Texas Gov. Rick Perry.