WASHINGTON -- House Republicans are drafting a proposal that would end the federal ban on offshore oil and gas drilling, while giving states greater say on whether they want energy development in their coastal waters, congressional sources say.
The GOP sources said the proposal, being developed by the Republican staff of the House Resources Committee, has yet to be fashioned into formal legislation and hasn't been reviewed by key lawmakers, including the panel's chairman.
But the proposal comes as many congressional Democrats and moderate Republicans are concerned about growing pressure to ease restrictions on offshore oil and gas development. These concerns were fueled by a push in the Senate to require a new inventory of gas and oil resources in all offshore waters as part of a broad energy bill moving toward final approval.
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