New Study: Offshore natural gas and oil reserves could provide billions of dollars in revenue for Georgia

ATLANTA, November 15, 2018 – Georgia Petroleum Council today noted released results from a new study highlighting how Georgia’s economy could benefit from over $200 million in tax revenues as a result of offshore leasing in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

“Cutting-edge technology can safely and accurately discover what resources lay off Georgia’s coast and make possible the potential for millions of dollars in state and local tax revenues from offshore activity detailed in this new study,” said Georgia Petroleum Council Executive Director Hunter Hopkins. “This could be a turning point for Georgia. Our communities could gain high-paying year-round jobs while additional revenues help advance and update our public school systems and infrastructure.

“Combined with the billions of dollars for the economies of coastal states from previous studies, the additional tax revenues available to Georgia that are outlined in this new study are critical for helping to improve quality of life for Georgia’s residents.”

The new report titled “The Economic Impacts of Allowing Access to the Atlantic OCS for Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Development Supplement: Projected State, Local and Federal Tax Receipts”, focuses on state tax revenues and was prepared by CALASH on behalf of API. Calash projects that offshore-related natural gas and oil activities in Georgia could generate additional non-bonus and royalty revenue such as personal and corporate income tax, property tax, and sales taxes. The associated state and local tax revenues are projected to reach more than $20 million annually by the end of the forecast period, according to the report.

Cumulative state and local tax revenues due to industry spending are projected to total $212 million across the 20-year forecast period. This projection includes:

• Cumulative personal income and payroll taxes: $46,000,000
• Cumulative personal property and other taxes and fees: $19,000,000
• Cumulative corporate income tax (Including dividends): $6,000,000
• Cumulative business sales, property, excise, custom and other: $142,000,000

This report builds on a prior study released in March of 2018, which showed that contributions from Atlantic OCS oil and natural gas exploration and development activity to Georgia’s economy could reach over $350 million within 20 years. The same report shows that offshore natural gas and oil related activity on the Atlantic Coast could support more than 4,000 jobs annually in Georgia within 20 years. For additional information visit Explore Offshore, the website for a bipartisan coalition dedicated to safe and environmentally responsible access to our offshore energy resources to help supply affordable energy for American consumers, small businesses, and manufacturers.

Advanced technology, safety standards, best practices, and regulations are designed to protect the environment, marine life, and workers - while enabling the oil and natural gas industry to work alongside recreational fishing, tourism, and military activities. Since 2010, more than 100 standards were created or strengthened, including for improved safety and environmental management, well-design, blowout prevention, and spill response to ensure we have the best protections and highest safety measures in place.

The Georgia Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 600 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 47 million Americans.

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