This is interesting to see this turn about going on. It boggles my mind. They are wanting to drill within 50 miles of Florida. It will end up being much closer, I think.
A change in leadership in Congress and the White House has done little to make Florida's coastline less vulnerable to oil drillingFor years, anti-drilling forces turned to Congressional Democrats to beat back GOP-led efforts to drill off Florida's coast. But now it is a pair of Democrats behind what environmentalists consider one of the most threatening pieces of legislation in years.
The proposal, led by Democratic Sens. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, would allow drilling 45 miles from most of the Gulf Coast, and as close as 13 miles in the Panhandle. The surprise amendment passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by a 13-10 vote last Tuesday.
Though a 2006 law passed by Congress prohibits drilling within 234 miles of Tampa Bay, the new proposal would supercede that legislation.
Supporters of the proposal plan to pair it with climate change legislation aimed at fighting global warming. It is a political move that could put senators in a position to oppose the global warming legislation, a top priority for President Barack Obama
That is not enough for Charlie Crist. He says even drilling 10 miles offshore won't bring Florida the money it needs. He advocates for possibly drilling as close as 3 miles.
Video: Crist says drilling 10 miles offshore won't bring Florida money. Need to drill closer, he says.A congressional plan to drill for oil 10 miles off the coast of Florida would leave the state with some of the risk but none of the profits. Other states along the Gulf of Mexico would receive millions if Congress allows oil companies to drill closer to shore. As Whitney Ray tells us, Florida could net billions by lifting a ban on drilling in state waters, but environmentalists say the profits wouldnt cover the cost of a spill.
In the video Crist makes clear this is not close enough.
It is amazing the turn about in which party stands for what issue. Hard to keep up.
