Publication

This report discusses moratorium policy in the context of the broader debate over outer continental shelf (OCS) drilling. The drilling debate includes separate policy conflicts over the size, timing, and location of OCS oil and gas development activities. In the remainder of the report, the moratoria and the OCS drilling debate are discussed in the context of (1) the economic feasibility of oil and gas development activities in the OCS; (2) the environmental risk of OCS activities; and (3) new OCS technology. Later sections identify sources of authority for the OCS moratoria and discuss issues of ocean sovereignty.