The moratorium is achieved not through banning drilling but rather through not funding the Department of Interior branch that sells the land leases associated with the ‘moratorium’ acres. Every year, congress must pass an appropriations bill for the Department of Interior, which outlines the budget for the Department and funds the agency responsible for land-leases. The moratorium is achieved by not funding the sale of leases on this acreage. The annual appropriations bill runs on a fiscal year from October 1st to September 30th when it must be renewed.
If the appropriations bill for the Department of Interior is not renewed by September 30th, then the lack of funding for the sale of Land-Leases still exists. Without appropriation, the Department cannot sell the leases to allow drilling.
Currently, Republicans on the appropriations committee have fought to add an amendment to the appropriations bill with no avail as Reid and Pelosi continue to block efforts. When the bill does come up in September, they will try again; but Pelosi & Reid will continue to use parliamentary procedure to block the amendments.
Bump
Not only mandate the sale of leases but they must also mandate the right of the lease holder to produce (drill for production of oil or gas)!
Just look at the 2.6 - 3 trillion cu.ft. of dry natural gas under the Dustin Dome that we citizens are denied access to in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Chevron held the lease for years and years. They did extensive siesmic exploration and even test wells. But when Chevron applied for permits to drill and start production the Gov. refused the permits. Chevron sued the Gov. (twice I think) but failed. Eventually the Gov. bought back the leases for $113 million.
The enviroWacos stirred up the Fla. locals with the fears of giant oil spills. BUT WAIT! This is a couple of trillion cu. ft. of Dry Natural Gas not that evil yucky oil!!!
Only in Washington would you need funds to sell something!! Selling something brings in funds.
This is not entirely true, there are several precedents for Presidents shifting funds, unless Congress forbids such an action Bush could fund the lease auction. The one I think of from History is Teddy Roosevelt funding sending the Great White Fleet half way around the world by shifting funds with in the Department of War. Shifting funds within the Department of Interior would not be that hard and with popular support Congress would back down.
FYI (I did not know this.)