http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/our-ocean-legacy/our-ocean-legacy http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/fla_-cfo-angry-over-govs-switch-on-oil-drilling http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/fla_-cfo-angry-over-govs-switch-on-oil-drilling Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:08:38 -0500 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/doe-new-drilling-would-take-22-years-to-help-would-not-be-significant WASHINGTON - Last year, the U.S. Department of Energy published a study http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/doe-new-drilling-would-take-22-years-to-help-would-not-be-significant Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:24:17 -0500 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/offshore-drilling-just-over-the-horizon  By RUSSELL RAY The Tampa Tribune Published: Apr 15, 2007n December, when Congress moved the line on offshore drilling closer http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/offshore-drilling-just-over-the-horizon Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/constitutional-amendment-to-ban-drilling-near-shore-goes-to-voters   By SARA http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/constitutional-amendment-to-ban-drilling-near-shore-goes-to-voters Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/gulf-drilling-issue-resurfaces  By Cory ReissSun Washington BureauLike a monster in a horror movie that has been shot, stabbed and http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/gulf-drilling-issue-resurfaces Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/in-praise-of-unusual-suspects  Ed Swift is absolutely right.  The Key West city commissioners should make more than their current, paltry salaries. http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/in-praise-of-unusual-suspects Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/house-okays-gulf-oil-drilling  By WES ALLISON, Times Staff Writer http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/house-okays-gulf-oil-drilling Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/gulf-drilling-set-for-big-expansion http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/gulf-drilling-set-for-big-expansion Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/-new-reps-urge-opposition-to-drilling-bill   http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/-new-reps-urge-opposition-to-drilling-bill Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/victory-is-defeat-florida-loses-in-offshore-drilling-compromise  The http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/victory-is-defeat-florida-loses-in-offshore-drilling-compromise Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/spills-or-not-gulf-drilling-will-be-messy   http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/spills-or-not-gulf-drilling-will-be-messy Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/drilling-deal-to-hang-on-house http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/drilling-deal-to-hang-on-house Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/environmentalists-boycott-offshore-drilling-hearing  By BILL KACZOR Associated Press WriterTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Environmentalists boycotted a public hearing Wednesday on plans to open a new area off the Florida Panhandle to oil and natural gas drilling as a protest against what they said were efforts to unfairly squelch opposition.The Minerals Management Service was holding the hearing in Panama City on plans to open more areas around the country to drilling, including about 2 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola.Representatives of four environmental groups said they believe voicing opposition at the hearing would do little good."This administration has shown time and time again that even when they do hear from a lot of citizens on an issue, especially an environmental issue, that hasn't really made an impact on decisions that they make," said Holly Binns, field director for Environment Florida.The hearing is among the last three of 19 such discussions on a draft environmental impact statement for the next proposed five-year outer continental shelf leasing plan, which would go into effect next year.The meeting was the only one held in Florida. Most, including 14 in Alaska, were held in states supportive of offshore drilling."We are a little miffed with the MMS for insisting on holding their scant hearings ... in places and at times that are really not accessible to the people who would be most impacted," said Clean Water Network of Florida director Linda Young.She said the most affected place in Florida would be Pensacola, where about 1,000 people once turned out to oppose an earlier drilling plan. Panama City is about 100 miles east of Pensacola.A Minerals Management spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.The environmentalists also urged that Gov.-elect Charlie Crist and Florida's congressional delegation oppose any efforts to reach a compromise on offshore drilling legislation in Congress before the new Democratic majority takes over in January.The Republican-controlled House and Senate have passed conflicting proposals to open more offshore areas to drilling but so far have been unable to resolve their differences. President Bush has urged congressional leaders to pass a drilling bill before the current session ends."We are convinced that if we can hold out and make it through this lame duck session of Congress without any drilling legislation passing we're going to be much better situated to win real protections for Florida's coasts for the long term," Binns said.A staunch drilling opponent, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is slated to be the next House speaker.Crist, a Republican who voiced opposition to offshore drilling during his campaign, was invited to the news conference, but he was out of town and unable to attend.  http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/environmentalists-boycott-offshore-drilling-hearing Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/pressure-mounts-for-gulf-oil-drilling  WASHINGTON - Opponents of offshore drilling took a few hours to dance on the political grave of Rep. Richard Pombo last week, the California chairman of the House Resources Committee and architect of expansive offshore drilling legislation.But to their dismay, the tune now sounds familiar.Pombo's re-election defeat, which a constellation of environment groups spent millions to engineer, and the Democratic takeover of both chambers of Congress might actually dislodge offshore drilling from congressional stalemate in a postelection stab at bipartisanship.Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the presumptive majority leader, and President Bush both put final passage of a compromise for drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on their short lists of goals for the lame-duck session that begins this week.Now Florida lawmakers are under pressure from the Sierra Club, Environment Florida and other drilling foes to revoke support for deals they had negotiated when pro-drilling forces seemed sure of approving rigs within eyeshot of Florida beaches.Drilling opponents argue the threat is remote, especially given Pombo's defeat, that a Democratic Congress would end 25 years of drilling bans covering most U.S. waters. That threat was, after all, the reason Florida lawmakers gave over the last year for negotiating deals."It's going to show people's true colors," said Mark Ferrulo, executive director of Environment Florida. "Now that the compromise will no longer be a necessity, we're going to see where these members really stand when it comes to protecting Florida's Gulf waters from drilling."Drilling opponents say a united Florida could fight for highly protective legislation and to block the Bush administration from unilaterally opening waters south of the Panhandle, which it is in the process of doing.Reid called on the House to pass the Senate bill, which environmental groups oppose even though they consider it more protective of Florida than a House version."It's important for the American people" Reid said.Republican House members and the energy industry, who opposed the Senate bill as too limited, are eager to take what they can get before the power shift is official in January. Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the incoming House speaker, has said she is open to acting on the Senate bill or something like it.Florida lawmakers who voted for the House or Senate bills are not snapping back to the anti-drilling position that a nearly united delegation wielded for years to keep drilling east of the Alabama state line. The delegation began to split when Hurricane Katrina wrecked gulf production, sent energy prices upward and heaped pressure on Florida to get out of the way of domestic supplies."The bottom line here is that America is importing oil from dangerous places," said John Hambel, chief of staff for Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow, a Republican who negotiated the House bill with Pombo.ONE FOR THE MONEYIn June, 14 of Florida's 25 House members, including one Democrat, voted for the Pombo bill. That legislation is dead now, but environmental groups are surprised to find the Senate-passed version alive.Aides to Sen. Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez, a Florida Democrat and a Republican, said that their bosses would stick with the Senate bill they have supported. Martinez negotiated it with the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico, to gain a buffer zone for Florida that would last until 2022."He thinks that Florida does well in that bill," said Bridget Walsh, an aide to Nelson. "If that doesn't go through, he will do what he can to protect Florida."With Pombo gone, a Democrat has stepped in as the driving force behind a deal.Sen. Mary Landrieu, a moderate Democrat from Louisiana, is pressing the issue. She faces a tough 2008 re-election and could make trouble for the 51-49 Democratic majority. Her state would reap hundreds of millions of dollars from offshore royalties under the Senate bill, which Louisiana would use for wetlands restoration.Richard Charter, head of an anti-drilling environmental coalition, asked why Florida lawmakers would commit "unilateral surrender" now."As long as Louisiana needs money," Charter said, "then in a reconfigured Congress, it would be possible to gain true protection not only for Florida but other states."The Senate bill would open 8.3 million acres beginning 125 miles south of the Panhandle and 234 miles west of Tampa Bay. Unlike the House bill, it does not apply to other coasts, including Florida's east coast, and does not give other states the ability to opt out of the drilling bans.Landrieu said the odds of passing a bill could plummet when the new Democratic Congress convenes, but her state would continue to suffer from lost wetlands that protect against storm surges."The reason that there is some urgency to pass this bill is that the images of people drowning in New Orleans and St. Bernard were very gruesome visuals to people in the country," she said of Hurricane Katrina."This is much bigger than my re-election or the petty politics of Washington."'JUST SAYING NO'Several Florida Republicans are not convinced that circumstances have changed enough to abandon a plan that would give the state some long-term protections near shore while showing Florida is willing to do its part for energy supplies.For one thing, the U.S. Minerals Management Service is moving forward with plans to open a large part of a zone called Lease Sale Area 181, which is not covered by drilling bans.The proposed drilling would begin 100 miles south of Pensacola and 234 miles west of Tampa Bay."If nothing passes," said a statement from Martinez's office, "drilling could begin next year with no additional protections for Florida."The Senate bill would open most of that same area but also would allow drilling in another large tract south of Area 181, which is currently covered by drilling bans.Environmental groups want Florida lawmakers and governor-elect Charlie Crist to fight the MMS plan - in Congress and if necessary the courts - while holding out for better legislation."There's no reason to compromise," said Melinda Pierce, a Sierra Club lobbyist, "and Sierra Club would expect them to realize that."Some lawmakers say it is too soon to tell how far the pendulum has swung in Congress.Many of the new House Democrats are moderates, and Sen. Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, the likely chairman of the Senate energy panel next year, supports drilling."We don't know for sure the threat of something closer isn't going to be there anymore," said Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville. "That remains to be seen."She added: "I don't think just saying no is a good environmental policy."  http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/pressure-mounts-for-gulf-oil-drilling Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/editorial-run-out-drilling-clock  Palm Beach Post EditorialMonday, November 13, 2006This week, the lame-duck session of Congress could try to push through a bill on oil drilling off Florida's coasts. Waiting for the new Congress is a better plan.Florida's senators, Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Mel Martinez, have safeguards for Florida's coasts in the Senate bill. The House-passed bill would open more of the Gulf of Mexico to drilling and give states more money. Sens. Nelson and Martinez are right to insist that only the Senate bill is acceptable.That legislation would allow drilling for the first time on 8.3 million acres in the eastern gulf but protect Florida's beaches by keeping rigs at least 125 miles from the northwest coast and at least 235 miles from the Tampa Bay area through 2022. It also would give coastal states 37.5 percent of royalties oil and gas companies pay the federal government. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., hopes to secure that money for her state.The House bill would give states up to 50 percent of royalties from new leases, but the chances of negotiating a combined bill that the Senate would approve seem slim. Sen. Nelson, an aide said, is looking ahead to the next Congress to work for "whatever bill is needed for maximum protection for Florida."The work will be easier without Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., chairman of the House Resources Committee. He lost to Democrat Jerry McNerney. Environmental groups worked to defeat Rep. Pombo because of his attempts to gut the Endangered Species Act, open the nation's coasts to offshore drilling, weaken laws that protect air and water, open public lands to development, sell millions of acres of national park land and open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling.With Rep. Pombo gone and a new Congress ready to take over, better energy legislation has a chance, and Florida's beaches can be safer.  http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/editorial-run-out-drilling-clock Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/florida39s-gop-heavy-delegation-may-not-suffer-in-democratic-house   BILL KACZORAssociated Press http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/florida39s-gop-heavy-delegation-may-not-suffer-in-democratic-house Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/hurricanes-offer-a-reason-not-to-drill Tallahassee Democrat Letters To The Editor  http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/hurricanes-offer-a-reason-not-to-drill Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/cleanup-of-oil-spill-likely-to-last-days  Workers tried to contain hundreds of gallons of oil that leaked http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/cleanup-of-oil-spill-likely-to-last-days Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/lawmakers-still-push-for-deal-on-oil-drilling    http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/lawmakers-still-push-for-deal-on-oil-drilling Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/our-view-block-big-oil    http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/our-view-block-big-oil Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/a-crude-awakening   After hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the nation's http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/a-crude-awakening Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/nelson-supports-drilling-measure   Florida senator http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/nelson-supports-drilling-measure Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:27 -0600 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/is-this-in-floridas-future PORT ARANSAS, http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/is-this-in-floridas-future Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:02:37 -0500 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/where-offshore-drilling-goes-beaches-suffer Stephen Leatherman has seen every kind of beach in America, and he really http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/where-offshore-drilling-goes-beaches-suffer Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:55:44 -0500 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/our-position-floridas-governor-seems-to-be-putting-politics-ahead-of-environment Vice presidential candidate Charlie Crist, formerly Florida's environmental http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/our-position-floridas-governor-seems-to-be-putting-politics-ahead-of-environment Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:57:17 -0500 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/castors-bill-protects-fla_-shores-from-drilling By GRACE GAGLIANO gagostin@bradenton.com http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/castors-bill-protects-fla_-shores-from-drilling Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:50:22 -0500 http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/meeting-energy-needs OPINION Reader Views Regarding Mike Thomas' Thursday column, "Offshore Drilling Could Reduce Global Warming": Thomas may be right that tackling global warming "won't be a painless, jolly-green adventure." However, his support for drilling rigs off Florida's coast to increase our supply of natural gas should not be part of the solution. Offshore drilling, for gas or oil, is the slowest, most expensive and dirtiest way to meet our state's energy needs. Drilling for natural gas is not some benign, clean process with a minor environmental footprint that the multimillion-dollar public-relations campaigns by Shell and Chevron would have you believe. Offshore drilling operations generate massive amounts of toxic waste -- an average of 180,000 gallons per well. Seismic exploration to find the gas off our coast -- explosive underwater blasts -- can be devastating to marine mammals such as sperm whales, and can severely impact fish populations. Onshore infrastructure associated with offshore gas development significantly damages the coast. Gas rigs generate huge amounts of air pollution, pollute surrounding waters with mercury, and because oil and gas are often found together, the potential for a major oil spill is always a possibility. There is a better way. Florida has vast "strategic reserves" of energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy. Virtually every part of our economy has the potential to use energy more efficiently. In doing so, we could save more natural gas than the entire amount that exists off our unique and fragile coastline. MARK FERRULO Director, Environment Florida Tallahassee Copyright © 2008, Orlando Sentinel http://www.environmentflorida.org/in-the-news/save-our-shores2/save-our-shores/meeting-energy-needs Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:09:17 -0600