Key Military Leaders Endorse Extending Drilling Moratorium in the Gulf

"The moratorium is essential for developing and sustaining the Air Force's future combat capabilities."

As the debate gets underway on whether to expand offshore drilling along the outer continental shelf (OCS), the Air Force Chief of Staff and Under Secretary of Defense have weighed in to oppose oil and gas exploration in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

In separate letters to Florida congressional representatives, Gen. David Goldfein and Acting Under Secretary of Defense A.M. Kurta say they support extending an existing moratorium on oil and gas "leasing, pre-leasing and other related activities" beyond its current expiration in 2022.

"The moratorium is essential for developing and sustaining the Air Force's future combat capabilities," Goldfein wrote in a letter to U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida.