Bush Lifts Drilling Moratorium, Prodding Congress

By STEVEN LEE MYERS

WASHINGTON — President Bush intends to lift a presidential moratorium on drilling for oil and natural gas on the Outer Continental Shelf, the White House said on Monday, hoping to prod Congress to act to clear the way for exploration along the country’s coastline in response to soaring energy prices.

Mr. Bush will announce the lifting of an executive order, which was first issued by his father in 1990 and was renewed by Bill Clinton, on Monday afternoon in the Rose Garden of the White House, according to Mr. Bush’s press secretary, Dana M. Perino.

By itself, the move will have little impact, because Congress enacted a moratorium in 1982 that remains in place. But the step underscores the rising political pressure to address high oil and gasoline prices in the middle of an election year.

Bush Lifts Drilling Moratorium, Prodding Congress....