Comment from Thaler, Andrew
Andrew ThalerOpposeOther
Summary: The commenter argues that the Secretary of the Interior lacks the statutory authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to grant leases or rights-of-way for commercial space launch and reentry activities. They contend that the Act's authority is limited to energy-related or other authorized marine-related purposes.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act does not permit the Secretary of the Interior the authority to grant leases, easements, or rights-of-way for space launch and reentry related activities. Interior has no statutory authority to lease the OCS for commercial space activity. Interior’s authority to grant a lease, easement, or right-of-way is limited to “energy-related purposes or for other authorized marine-related purposes.” OCSLA’s grant of authority does not include the use of oil platforms for commercial space launches.