Page 21: of Marine News Magazine (October 2024)

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dizing economic growth, tax revenues and jobs. Without an active BiOp, nearly every permit or plan would re- quire individual Endangered Species

Act (ESA) consultations, which could signi? cantly slow down, and poten- tially halt, the process.

Additionally, it risks increasing en- ergy prices and forfeiting geopolitical advantages to countries like Russia and Iran by limiting domestically pro- duced energy.

Industry is also closely watching the anticipated December 2024 re- lease of the expanded Rice’s whale critical habitat. Previous attempts to bypass regulatory processes and limit public input have cast doubt on this decision, supported by incomplete and ? awed science.

The designation could reintroduce mitigation measures that harm en- ergy, industrial, commercial and every marine activity in the Gulf of Mexico without providing meaningful protec- tion for the whales. These restrictions could also impact ships bringing fuel to Florida’s Gulf Coast, cargo ships from Houston and food exports from the Mississippi, disrupting vital sup- ply chains and economic activities.

Despite these challenges, the Gulf of Mexico continues to innovate and produce the energy that lifts society.

New projects in the deepwater Gulf are advancing with groundbreaking techniques. Chevron’s Anchor proj- ect, which achieved its ? rst oil in Au- gust 2024, exempli? es the industry’s commitment to innovation, safety, and ef? ciency. As the ? rst deepwater high-pressure development to begin production, Anchor uses 20,000-psi subsea technology to tap into reser- www.marinelink.com MN 21|