The Outer Continental Shelf presents a tremendous opportunity to expand domestic oil and natural gas production with little or no downside. Extra energy is badly needed, and the risk of producing it has been greatly reduced. Over the past few months, high energy prices have shifted the tide in favor of drilling in restricted areas. The public supports offshore drilling by 2-to-1 margins. In July, President Bush lifted the executive moratorium on offshore drilling while urging Congress to do the same. Now, the U.S. Minerals Management Services is doing its …
