DALLAS -- Texas will get about $49 million from the U.S.  Department of Interior to be used for coastal protection and restoration in relation to offshore energy exploration, U.S. Sen.  John Cornyn said Monday.

The funding, which was authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, directs the Interior Department to give $250 million annually in fiscal years 2007-10 to six coastal states that have offshore energy production, including Texas.

Twenty percent, or about $49 million, of the overall Coastal Impact Assistance Program funding will be available to Texas. Of that, about $32 million is available directly for the state and about $17 million is for specific counties.

“Energy is fundamental to our quality of life and economy in Texas and America. So too is the preservation of our coastal lands and habitats,” said Cornyn, a Republican.

Texas counties that will receive funds include Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jefferson, Matagorda, Orange, Victoria, Aransas, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Cameron, Kenedy and Willacy.