Mississippi is receiving more than $27.7 million this year to the state, and three coast counties for coastal conservation, restoration, and hazard mitigation activities.
The money comes from the U.S. Department of the Interior represents Phase II disbursement of federal offshore oil and gas revenue shares that were generated through the 2006 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.
Mississippi is working hard to maximize our energy resources to help lower costs for the consumer and make America energy independent,” said Governor Phil Bryant. “The latest disbursement of revenue generated by offshore energy exploration, as part of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, will initiate projects to improve our water quality and enhance the blue economy of our Gulf Coast.”
The State of Mississippi will receive $22.2 million, with another $2.3 million for Jackson County, $2.15 million for Harrison County, and $1.05 million for Hancock County.
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith who serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Interior Department said that GOMESA ensures that Mississippi receives a share of royalty revenues to address conservation and coastal restoration needs.
“I’m pleased with our state’s willingness to support responsible off-shore energy production while also giving special focus to enhance the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast,” Hyde-Smith said.
The funding distributed to Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas was generated from qualified oil and gas leasing revenues and disbursed in accordance with GOMESA revenue-sharing provisions. In all, the Interior Department distributed more than $187.9 million in FY2017 revenue-sharing receipts to the four states. According to the Interior Department, the $188 million to be disbursed in FY2018 is over five times more than the total amount disbursed to states and CPS during the entirety of Phase I of GOMESA, extending from FY2009 through FY2017.
