Yet Another Push for More Drilling Off Florida's Coasts
Jun 23, 2009
In May, advocates for new Gulf oil and gas drilling narrowly lost their last-minute attempt to convince the Florida legislature to allow new drilling within three to ten miles of Florida's coasts. While they've vowed to return next year and try again, in the meantime, they've set their sites on Congress.
Ignoring a legislative compromise reached three years ago that was to have protected Florida's coasts until 2022, the Senate energy committee passed an amendment to the energy bill that would allow new drilling within 45 miles of Florida's coasts (even closer to the sugar-white sands of the Panhandle).
On June 18, the full committee approved the bill 15-8, sending it to the full Senate where it will probably be voted on in the early fall. Sen. Bill Nelson has vowed to stop the drilling proposal, even threatening to filibuster the bill if the amendment isn't removed.
Drilling advocates insist that to reduce dependence on foreign oil, we must increase domestic drilling. However, even the Bush Administration's Department of Energy Annual Energy Outlook for 2007 stated that if the restrictions were lifted on access to the eastern Gulf and the Pacific with new leases granted in 2012, "access to the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf regions would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030." Floridians are being persuaded to risk the states' coastlines and vital tourism industry when projections indicate new Gulf drilling would have little impact on our oil supply for decades.
Another argument drilling proponents are making is the new drilling woudl provide an infusion of cash into Florida's strapped treasury, helping to fill the huge budget gaps in the coming years. Sen. Bill Nelson wrote this article explaining that Federal law prohibits royalties from drilling on federal leases -- those funds can only be used for mitigating the effects of drilling and exploration. They can't be used to build schools or pay for roads.
And as for the contention that new technology makes spills rare and environmental damage unlikely? You need only think back to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which destroyed 113 oil platforms, damaged 457 pipelines, caused 124 spills totaling 741,000 gallons of oil including six spills of 1,000 barrels or greater, according to the federal Mineral Management Service. And take a look at this AP photo and article from July 23, showing huge blobs of oil washing ashore on Texas beaches.
Thousands of Floridians have spoken out against this proposal, joined by the editorial boards of most major Florida newspapers.
Learn More
Florida Newspapers Are Weighing in Strongly Against New Drilling
Newspaper editorial boards from Pensacola to Miami are weighing in against allowing new drilling near Florida's coasts. They decry the danger to Florida's vital tourism industry and environment, as well as the shortsightedness and ineffectiveness of new drilling as an energy strategy. More
Sen. Bill Nelson: Promised oil revenue is a dry well for Florida
Sen. Bill Nelson debunks the idea that new oil drilling will mean new revenue for Florida, explaining that federal law strictly limits uses of oil royalties. More
U.S. Department of Energy 2007 Annual Outlook on Energy
The study by the Bush Administration's Department of Energy concluded that opening access to new drilling in the Gulf would have no signficiant impact on energy prices or supply until at least 2030. More
Take Action
Ask Florida's Delegation to Stand Together Against New Drilling
Two bills are moving through the U.S. Senate with provisions to open up drilling off Florida's beaches. Sen. Bill Nelson has vowed to fight the effort. If you don't want to see new rigs off our coast, sign this letter urging the rest of Florida's delegation to stand strong against new drilling. More
Tell Your Federal Representatives Your Views on Gulf Drilling
Pending federal legislation would allow new drilling off Florida's beaches. Tell your Senators and Representative your thoughts on this important economic and environmental issue. More
Ask Your Friends to Take Action on Push for Drilling in the Gulf
Ask your friends to join you in taking action on the push for new drilling off Florida's coasts. More