New Oil Drilling Off Florida's Coasts?
A few weeks before the end of session, a mysterious group called Florida Energy Associates, LLC, created in December by the oil and natural gas industry, began hiring dozens of prominent lobbyists. Then, Rep. Dean Cannon (R-Orlando) offered an amendment to a bill in the House Policy Council that would allow the Florida Cabinet to approve new leases for oil and natural gas drilling between three and ten miles off the Florida coastline. His presentation included glossy handouts with charts and photos and a full power point presentation, all paid for by Florida Energy Associates.
The bill passed the committee on a party line vote, and has passed the full House as well. The industry is now pressuring the Senate to pass the proposal as well. Florida Energy Associates' latest lobbyist hire? Claudia de la Portilla, the wife of powerful Senate Republican leader Alex de la Portilla.
As the legislature is struggling to fill a six billion dollar hole in the state budget, the proposal is being touted as a revenue generator. It has also been tied to funding for Florida Forever, the state's conservation land purchase program, which is currently slated to receive no funding this year.
While Senate leaders have said there is no time to consider the proposal, session has been extended for an extra week and it could be offered as an amendment to another bill.
Learn more at the links below, and then use our online tools to take action. Please be sure to forward the petition below to your friends and colleagues. To ensure this proposal doesn't move forward, elected officials need to hear an outpouring of outrage from Floridians across the state.
Take Action:
Tell the Legislature: No Drilling Off Florida's Coasts!
Join other Floridians in signing this petition to demand that legislative leaders and the governor stop this proposal. More
Ask Your Friends to Join in Stopping New Oil Drilling
Ask your friends to join you in signing the petition demanding that the legislature and governor stop the proposal to allow new oil drilling three to ten miles off Florida's coast. More
Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts
Tell your state elected representatives where you stand on the House proposal to allow drilling for oil and natural gas 3 to 10 miles off Florida's coasts. More
Learn More:
Miami Herald: Florida House Panel OK's Oil Drilling Bill
In a full-barreled appeal to the House Policy Council, the oil and gas industry persuaded lawmakers to vote, 17-6, along party lines Tuesday for a bill that opens state waters to exploration and taps into new revenues for the state's ailing budget. More
St. Pete Times: Powerful Gulf Oil Drilling Lobby Faces Strong Resistance in Florida
Dangling the promise of millions for the state's dwindling budget, a group of mostly unidentified oil and gas companies is bankrolling a last-minute fight to bring offshore drilling to Florida's coastline. More
U.S. Dept. of Energy Annual Energy Outlook 2007
Read the Department of Energy's analysis of the impact of new drilling. More
Charlotte Sun: Slippery Oil Drilling Idea is Bad Policy
Florida's calling card is sunshine and beaches. Trading that for sketchy promises of oil and gas royalties and cheaper gas is a bad deal. More