Our Ocean Legacy In the News

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, announced Monday new legislation she is sponsoring to restrict oil drilling off Florida's coastlines.

The congresswoman, whose district includes part of Manatee County, introduced a bill that would make existing restrictions to offshore drilling permanent.

Currently, oil and natural gas drilling is banned within 125 miles of Florida's coastline.

That restriction was enacted in 2006 as a moratorium under the Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act and expires in 2022.

Castor said with the Florida Coastal Protection Act she wants to put a permanent ban on drilling within 125 miles of Florida's coastline.

"When I think of the beautiful beaches in Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key I think that it would be devastating to have an oil spill," Castor said.

The Florida Coastal Protection Act comes a week after U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., withdrew his legislation that proposed drilling occur no closer than 25 miles to coastlines.

In addition, Peterson said his bill would give states the option to decide on specific restrictions.

Peterson said states would decide whether to allow drilling between 25 and 50 miles off their coasts.

At 50-100 miles off the coastline, states would have to pass legislation to block drilling, and beyond 100 miles, drilling would be allowed.

On a day when oil prices reached a record high at $117.40 a barrel, Peterson said he fears if Castor's bill is supported it will only worsen the economy and oil prices.

"I think it's a terrible mistake that we're not passing my legislation because the natural gas crisis is pushing more jobs offshore. If we don't open up the natural gas supply for this country we will not compete in the global economy," Peterson said. "It's just going to be tough times."

Peterson added that by making the 125-mile limitation permanent it would make the United States too dependent on foreign sources for oil and natural gas.

"What it does is it says America should not produce its own energy, that America should continue its foreign dependence," Peterson said. "We have a lot of resources in this country, if we don't acquire them we will not be a first-rate nation. We will be a second-rate nation."

Castor's proposal gained the support of Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota.

"I am opposed to drilling in the gulf because it is a threat to the environment, our economy and quality of life," Buchanan said. "We need to conserve and develop alternative energy sources."

Mark Ferrulo, director of Environment Florida, said oil spilling in the Gulf of Mexico could travel as far as the Florida Keys or to the East Coast through the gulf's loop current.

"In a state like Florida where our economy is inextricably linked to the health of our coastline, offshore drilling is simply not compatible with our state," Ferrulo said.

Grace Gagliano, city reporter, can be reached at 748-0411, ext. 2620.

From Vern Buchanan

Kathy Castor's proposal gained the support of Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota: "I am opposed to drilling in the Gulf because it is a threat to the environment, our economy and quality of life," Buchanan said. "We need to conserve and develop alternative energy sources."