Senate Committee Backs Proposal to Explore for Oil on State Lands

The Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee has backed a proposal that would authorize a land-management agency to enter a public-private partnership to explore for oil or natural gas on state-owned lands.

The committee supported SB 1158, by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, that would also allow the private company to drill if the yield can produce near-term revenue for the state.

The bill only changes how the exploration is conducted -- by establishing the private-public partnerships -- through existing state land-management plans that outline oil and gas exploration. The bill also would not allow drilling offshore or in existing wetlands, and Evers said an amendment will be added to prohibit drilling in the Everglades.

The bill doesn't change the requirement that the governor and Cabinet would have to make the final approval if drilling is to be allowed.

Exploring for oil and natural gas on state-owned lands isn't new.

Oil drilling has been taking place since 1943 in the 729,000-acre Big Cypress federal wildlife preserve adjacent to the Everglades National Park in eastern Collier County.

The Florida Petroleum Council has called for more drilling to lessen the countrys dependence on foreign oil.

Meanwhile, the Everglades Foundation has warned that efforts to drill in the Everglades would face widespread opposition.

The bill next goes before the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee.