The 5 year plan for the offshore oil/gas federal waters has been used for many decades. It is a requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970.
It allows oil/gas companies to see in advance what areas will come up for auction to lease and when. This is a good thing.
http://www.boem.gov/Five-Year-Program-Details/
I get it and it’s a ‘good’ thing relative to what might be, but better that the government gets out of the business of planning the economy.