Congress pulls Gulf drilling bill in political seesaw
CHARLOTTE -- Several area members of Congress-elect urged the U.S. House to
reject a bill to open a large area of the eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil
and gas drilling Tuesday.
Those voices of opposition, which include three Democrats and one
Republican, are coming just as the U.S. House began jockeying to pass
the bill before the lame-duck Congress adjourns at the end of this
week.
The bill would open 8.3 million acres to oil and gas drilling in an area 234 miles west of Tampa.
The race is on because supporters of the bill recognize that the recent
election, which swept Democrats to a majority in Congress, promises to
bring a changing tide for the oil drilling industry, said Mark Ferrulo,
a legislative director for Environment Florida, a nonprofit lobby
organization.
"This is kind of the last-gasp opportunity to give Big Oil a big
presence before this current leadership hands the reins over to a new
Congress that we think is going to be more favorable to alternative,
renewable energy," he said.
The members-elect urging the opposition include Democrats Tim Mahoney
of Venus, Ron Klein of Boca Raton and Kathy Castor of Tampa and
Republican Vern Buchanan.
The three Democrats signed a joint statement calling for Congress "to resist the last minute passage of this legislation."
All three, during their campaigns, also called for the nation to do
more to develop alternative fuels such as biodiesel and ethanol.
Mahoney, for example, often recalled being impressed by an entrepreneur
he knows who is turning citrus pulp into fuel.
"Right now, great strides can be made by private and public researchers
to perfect a 21st century energy supply," said the three Democrats.
"Our efforts should be devoted to assisting these individuals in their
work."
Buchanan, in a separate statement Tuesday, called the proposal to
expand the drilling after dozens of years of moratoriums
"short-sighted."
"We need to protect the coast for our enjoyment today and for future
generations while implementing a balanced energy plan that promotes
conservation and the development of alternative fuels to help reduce
our reliance on foreign oil and meet our nation's energy needs," he
said.
The U.S. consumes 7.5 billion barrels of oil and 21.9 trillion cubic
feet of natural gas per year. The proposed drilling area would produce
only enough to fuel Florida for two years, the three Democrats said.
"Such (drilling) actions will have no effect on either the cost of gas
or on the future of our energy needs," said Mahoney, Klein and Castor.
Instead, the U.S. could rely on Canadian sources until alternative sources are developed, they said.
The Democrats and Buchanan called for Congress, particularly Florida
members, to mend a rift over the bill and voice unified opposition.
The rift opened within the past year, after a spike in oil prices. That put pressure on Congress to expand domestic drilling.
"It is time for us to come together as Floridians and Americans toward
a real investment in solving our energy crisis," said Mahoney, Klein
and Castor.
Tuesday, the Republican leadership in Congress abruptly pulled the bill
from floor action. The move came after it became clear the legislation
lacked the two-thirds majority needed for passage.
A two-thirds majority was required because the bill was filed under a rule that allows sponsors to prohibit amendments.
Now, GOP leaders plan to revive the bill in a way that only a majority vote is required, or attach it to another bill.
"We have precious little time left," said Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., in
a statement, adding she remained hopeful the legislation can be taken
up later this week.
Last summer, the House passed a version that would have opened much
larger areas to drilling along the Gulf, Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
The Senate, however, passed a version that would open only the 8
million-acre area in the Gulf. The area is located 125 miles south of
the Panhandle and 234 miles west of Tampa.
Florida delegation members, including senators Mel Martinez and Bill
Nelson, reluctantly supported that bill. They argued that it was the
least threatening of the two.
Now, the House is considering the Senate's version.
"The real exciting thing is the Florida delegation is in position to
derail this legislation," said Ferrullo. "Unfortunately, there are a
number of members who are on the fence or who have pledged support for
this bill.
"That's why it's still a living, breathing threat."
By GREG MARTIN
Staff Writer
