Two members of the Florida congressional delegation -- Republican David Jolly and Democrat Gwen Graham -- teamed up this week to ensure the current ban on drilling for oil in the eastern Gulf goes all the way through 2027. Currently there is an effort in the U.S. Senate from U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., which would allow drilling up to 50 miles off the Florida Gulf Coast.
Jolly, a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2016, introduced the "Preserving Florida’s Coastal Communities Act” this week which extends the current ban, that is set to expire in 2022, for another five years. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., has criticized Cassidy’s proposal and has introduced a similar bill in the Senate.
Making his case on Thursday for the legislation, Jolly noted the Gulf oil spill from 2010 and warned the local economy in his Tampa Bay home area could suffer from drilling.
“It is paramount that we take steps to continue protecting our pristine beaches, our fisheries, our marine sanctuaries, and coastal communities from the impact of drilling in the eastern Gulf and devastating events like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010,” Jolly said on Thursday. “An oil spill off the coast of Pinellas County would be disastrous to our quality of life and our local economy. We must ensure that we do not put our Gulf Coast at greater risk by drilling closer to our shores.
“The bottom line is the economic benefits simply do not outweigh the risks,” Jolly added. “We can achieve energy independence and national energy security without jeopardizing our natural resources.”
Graham, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, noted that drilling will impact military training operations in the Gulf, including operations at Elgin Air Force Base in Pensacola.
“The Panhandle knows all too well the devastating effects an oil spill can have on our state,” Graham said. “Keeping our Gulf waters and beaches free from drilling is vital to protecting our economy and military in North Florida.”
Last month, Cassidy introduced the “Offshore Energy and Jobs Act of 2015” which would allow drilling up to 50 miles off the Florida Gulf Coast. Cassidy has cited studies which show, by 2035, the eastern part of the Gulf could generate a million barrels of oil a day.
“Developing oil and natural gas resources in the Gulf of Mexico could create more than 200,000 jobs, add more than $18 billion per year to the U.S. economy and strengthen our national security,” Cassidy insisted last month.
Cassidy also fired back at Nelson’s criticisms two weeks ago.
“Florida is a part of the Gulf and their residents should benefit from the Gulf’s natural resources. Families across the nation, including in Florida, would hold jobs with better wages and better benefits that are created by expanding offshore energy production,” Cassidy said. “I don’t understand why anyone would deny Floridians, or anyone else, access to these jobs.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
