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Politics

Rutherford Whips up Delegation Support for Banning Energy Exploration Off Florida

July 3, 2019 - 7:00am

Towards the end of last week, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., introduced a proposal closing off energy exploration in the South Atlantic and extends the moratorium on energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico through 2029. 

Rutherford dubbed his proposal the “Bolstering Economies, Anglers, Coastal Habitats, Ecosystems, and Security (BEACHES) in Florida Act” and reeled in the support of much of the Florida delegation in the U.S. House. 

“At a time when the United States is exporting record quantities of oil and gas, there is no need to conduct new drilling off the Florida coast,” said Rutherford on Friday. 

Rutherford pointed to almost 70 percent of voters backing a proposed amendment to the state constitution banning offshore drilling in state waters back in November. 

“Florida voters spoke loud and clear last year by passing an amendment to the state constitution banning drilling in state waters,” he said. “Now it’s time for the federal government to step up and protect our beaches, ecosystems, and national security. I am proud to see strong bipartisan support among the Florida delegation for the BEACHES in Florida Act – together we will get this bill signed into law and ensure Florida remains closed to offshore drilling for the next ten years.” 

Rutherford’s proposal has most of the Florida delegation lined up behind it. Cosponsors of the bill include Florida Democrat U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor, Charlie Crist, Alcee Hastings, Al Lawson, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Stephanie Murphy, Darren Soto and Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Florida Republican U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Matt Gaetz, Brian Mast, Bill Posey, Francis Rooney, Ross Spano, Michael Waltz and Ted Yoho. 

The bill was sent to the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee last week. So far, there is no companion legislation over in the U.S. Senate. 

Comments

Now let’s remove restrictions on solar energy and use the sunshine in this sunshine state to produce electricity.

nice

Why not FOREVER "Blowhards", instead of merely ten years?

The USA should pump so much oil that other world producers go out of business. Consumers of oil will not stop consuming until we properly develop nuclear. Might as well cash in in the meantime.

Hey there, it would be helpful and far more honest if the Republican Conscience spoke the truth instead of shilling for big oil!!! The poll the writer references was actually a Florida ballot question that passed by a large margin and amended our state constitution. Being negative for the sake of being negative is just a tad childish. If the writer is a true Republican, he or she would realize that in a democracy, a vote of the people is the ultimate "poll".

"Ultimately", in some cases, but not always in a "Democratic Republic" (which, THANKFULLY, is exactly what we have !) [[...or else we would be "France", bracing for "revolution"...AGAIN ! ]]

The fact that Rutherford is citing polls tell me he has no core values and should have the "R" in his Id changed to an "r" not to be confused with an actual Republican.

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