In an effort to reduce United States dependence on foreign oil, Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) has introduced legislation that would open the Eastern Gulf of Mexico to offshore oil drilling.

The Domestic Offshore Energy Security Act reintroduces last year’s bill that opens the gulf for production in federal water from 125 miles off shore to 45 miles, the same distance Cuba is currently leasing for production to countries other than the U.S.

Craig spoke on the Senate floor Thursday about the estimated 100 billion barrels of oil available for drilling.

US Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) comments

The measure also directs the Department of Interior to work with the Department of Energy to conduct an inventory of federal resources that could be made available as a strategic alternative to filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve with oil that increases consumption of foreign resources.

Senator Craig continues

Craig’s bill allows U.S. companies to compete in Cuban waters while providing stricter environmental protections than are required by Cuba. Some $10 million would be earmarked to conduct an inventory of the gulf this year.