From a release out of Rep. Bill Cassidy’s office…

Washington, DC – Today, members of Louisiana’s House delegation requested a meeting with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to discuss the “significant and harmful effects” of the President’s moratorium on deepwater energy production.

 “Clearly, the President’s moratorium is driven by emotion, not facts,” said Cassidy.  “At least I hope the President didn’t purposefully decide on a policy to put tens of thousands of Louisianans in the unemployment line.”

 “Instead of this knee-jerk moratorium, the President should pursue rational policy.  We can prevent another Deepwater Horizon spill without doing further damage to the economy.  Stronger safety and environmental protections can be implemented without eliminating jobs and making the United States more dependent on OPEC.”

 According to the Louisiana Midcontinent Oil & Gas Association, the President’s deepwater moratorium:

• Shuts down 33 rigs, which employ 800-1400 workers apiece
• Jeopardizes up to $330 million a month in household income
• Reduces domestic energy production by 80,000 barrels over six months
• Risk $7.6 billion in future government revenues

 Full text of the delegation’s letter is available here.