"This is a start in looking at American energy dominance and looking at our offshore assets, and the beginning of a dialogue of when, how, where and how fast offshore assets should be or could be developed," said Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in a press conference this morning.

The proposed plan includes 47 lease sales, covering all OCS planning areas except the North Aleutian basin, which remains subject to a presidential withdrawal. The draft plan includes 19 lease sales off the coast of Alaska, with the first of the sales in the program being in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

"This is the largest number of lease sales ever proposed for a national outer continental shelf program," Zinke said.

Zinke also emphasized the draft nature of the plan, saying the plan will go through a 60-day public comment and that the administration will consult with all states, local communities and congressional delegations over the proposal.

- ALAN BAILEY

See story in Jan. 14 issue, available online Friday, Jan. 12 at www.PetroleumNews.com