{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=F72A9B68-C015-4A02-9B63-B0D05CBF77F8", "MISS. SENATORS ASK INTERIOR DEPT. TO DROP PROPOSED OFFSHORE RULE", "2016-07-25", "2016", "2016-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today said the lack of evidence that offshore energy production adversely affects onshore air quality should prompt the withdrawal of a proposed new federal rule on offshore activities.Cochran and Wicker are among 17 Senators who have signed a letter asking Interior Secretary Sally Jewel to withdraw the \u201cAir Quality Control, Reporting, and Compliance\u201d rule proposed by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).\u201cThis rulemaking amounts to creating a solution for a problem that doesn\u2019t exist.\u00a0 The administration\u2019s eagerness to impose new regulations before the end of the year should not undermine facts and basic fairness to states that produce offshore energy,\u201d said Cochran, who serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Interior Department.\u201cThis proposed rule is unnecessary,\u201d Wicker said. \u201cThe agency has already proved that this regulation would not make a significant impact on making inland air cleaner. This is a solution in search of a problem. It is clear that regulatory action is not scientifically justified.\u201dThe letter highlights the fact that BOEM has failed to determine that offshore activities violate National Ambient Air Quality Standards in coastal areas.\u00a0 The letter points out that the agency\u2019s own National Environmental Policy Act review, as well as required Clean Air Act State Implementation Plans, have found that offshore emission sources do not contribute significantly to onshore air quality.The Senators also criticized BOEM for advancing the proposed rule before two ongoing studies, costing $4.0 million, have been concluded.\u00a0 These studies could be completed in 2017.\u201cUnless and until such studies are completed, peer reviewed, and assessed, it is impossible for BOEM to put forth a credible cost benefit analysis.\u00a0 Moreover, the affected entities cannot be reasonably expected to take adequate stock of or fully inform BOEM regarding the regulation,\u201d the letter said.\u00a0 \u201cTherefore, we ask the Department to withdraw this rule or at a minimum table this proposed rulemaking until the results of its own studies are completed to determine whether or not any regulatory action is scientifically justified.\u201dThe letter, authored by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), was also signed by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Michael Rounds (R-S.D.), Jeff Session (R-Ala.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and David Vitter (R-La.).\r\n###\r\nLINK  \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Senate Letter on BOEM Proposed Rule available below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=F72A9B68-C015-4A02-9B63-B0D05CBF77F8"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.947334036231041, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}