Scott Maddox Backs Bill Nelson's Plan to Have Federal Organization Study Oil Spill Impact

Former Tallahassee Mayor Scott Maddox, the Democratic candidate for state agriculture and consumer services commissioner, praised U.S. Sen. Bill Nelsons bill, authorizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to study the ecological and other impacts the oil spill in the Gulf will have in the years to come.

Senator Nelson should be commended for his action to move some of the control away from BP, said Maddox who has made opposition to offshore drilling one of the chief tenors of his campaign. I remained seriously concerned that we continue to rely on this foreign corporation that has shown a complete inability to get this disaster under control. The idea to bring in the experts from NOAA and charge them with an honest and nonbiased evaluation will help us gain a better understanding of what we are facing.

I have said from almost day one that we shouldnt trust our states future to a foreign entity that must answer first to shareholders continued Maddox. Their early attempts to use highly toxic and dangerous dispersants made it quite clear that their interests were not aligned with those of our state. While Senator Nelsons step is a good one, I renew my concerns and I renew my call for our nations leaders to take control of this situation and to do it now.