Effects of a ban on leasing the California Outer Continental Shelf on oil and gas development and the nation's economy

A critique of policies that would have prohibited the leasing of 6310 of California's offshore oil and gas tracts until after the year 2000 (except in a national emergency) examines the impacts of the proposal, which was subsequently withdrawn. The analysis uses the estimated production loss of 680,000 barrels per day to calculate jobs lost, government revenue lost, increases in future payments for foreign oil, etc. A qualitative discussion of the national security concerns and costs associated with a lower domestic production and greater reliance on imports and an assessment of environmental concerns conclude the analysis. The results indicate that all 50 states, particularly inland manufacturing states, will experience negative effects of the ban. 4 tables.