Trump Drilling Plan Draws Rebuke in Florida

Todays News

A plan by President Donald Trump’s administration to allow drilling off the coast of Florida drew sharp bipartisan rebuke, including from members of his own party representing the Gulf Coast.

Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke announced Thursday plans to make over 90 percent of the total Outer Continental Shelf’s acreage and more than 98 percent of undiscovered technically recoverable oil and gas resources in federal offshore areas available to consider for future exploration and development. “Today's announcement lays out the options that are on the table and starts a lengthy and robust public comment period,” Zinke announced. “Just like with mining, not all areas are appropriate for offshore drilling, and we will take that into consideration in the coming weeks. The important thing is we strike the right balance to protect our coasts and people while still powering America and achieving American Energy Dominance.

But while the move quickly drew the endorsement of figures like Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, leaders in Florida quickly spoke out against it. Gov. Rick Scott and Sen. Bill Nelson, a Republican and Democrat expected to face each other in a statewide Senate race next year, both issued statements against the move.

Notable on the Gulf Coast, U.S. Rep Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota and co-chair of Florida’s congressional delegation, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the move. “The Trump administration’s plan to expand oil drilling off Florida’s coastlines is reckless, misguided and potentially catastrophic to Florida,” Buchanan said. “As the state with the longest coastlines in the continental United States, Florida is especially vulnerable to oil spills. Have we forgotten so soon the devastating damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010? Our economy, environment and way of life is at stake if restrictions on oil drilling are lifted.”

Scott made clear in a statement he opposes allowing drilling off Florida’s coast. “I have already asked to meet immediately with Secretary Zinke to discuss the concerns I have with this plan and the crucial need to remove Florida from consideration. My top priority is to ensure that Florida’s natural resources are protected, which is why I proposed $1.7 billion for the environment in this year’s budget.”

Nelson pushed back on the plan as well. “This plan is an assault on Florida’s economy, our national security, the will of the public, and the environment,” he said in a statement. “This proposal defies all common sense and I will do everything I can to defeat it.”

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Okeechobee, had issued no statement on the plan as of Thursday evening.

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