Million $ Ben
Banned
Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Jacksonville,Ar. and Stearns , Ky
Posts: 853 |
quote:
Originally posted by Wingman66
China bought the rights from Cuba to drill in Cuban waters, not US waters.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Gov. Jeb Bush has told his brother's new administration not to open up Florida's Gulf Coast to more offshore oil and gas drilling -- a message President Bush already has said he will heed.
The president advocates increased energy exploration in the United States, but he said in interview with The Associated Press that he would support governors who want drilling banned off their coastlines.
Gov. Bush's letter to the U.S. Interior Department opposes the sale of an oil and gas lease that could allow drilling on nearly 6 million acres in federal waters south of Alabama near the Florida line.
``These are leases that are close to Florida waters and I think it's appropriate for the Florida governor to represent Florida's interests in that regard,'' Bush said Thursday of his letter.
In an interview on Jan. 17, George W. Bush forecast ``a monumental battle'' over increased energy exploration but said it is essential.
Asked about the Florida situation, Bush replied: ``I am for offshore drilling, but there is as much visual pollution off of Florida, or off of coastlines, as well as potential pollution. ...
``So I am going to work with the governors and if they are for bans off their coast, I'll support them for bans off their coast,'' he said.
He said his advocacy of opening the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve to energy exploration is another matter because it is an isolated ``area where we can develop and protect'' the environment.
In his letter, Gov. Bush said a federal sale of drilling rights off Florida would be the first in the eastern gulf since 1988.
``I am confident the new administration will recognize the need to protect sensitive natural resources located both offshore, and along Florida's coastline, for the benefit of the entire nation,'' Bush wrote Tuesday.
It's not clear when the federal government might make a decision on the lease.
Bush's move was applauded by Florida environmentalists, who have for years fiercely fought attempts to place oil rigs off the state's famous beaches.
Mark Ferrulo, who monitors offshore oil drilling for the Florida Public Interest Research Group, said Bush seems ``more aggressive on this issue than even the previous administration''
That's good news because President Bush has ``surrounded himself with the most pro-drilling Cabinet in history,'' Ferrulo said.
``Right now, protection of our shores is in Governor Jeb Bush's lap,'' Ferrulo said. ``It's not going to happen at the federal level.''
Sorry, but that article just isnt true. The Florida Legislators, which is a Dem majority, banned any attempt to drill off shore.
And the areas China is gooing to drillo is in international waters...not all of the areas they will drill are in Cuban waters.
This come straight from a Florida Dem Representative in a CSPAN interview.
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06-14-2008 03:02 PM
