Florida’s congressional leadership is standing strongly together to defend the state’s treasured coastal areas from dangerous drilling activities, and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) and Ted Deutch (FL-22) touted that stout bipartisan alliance today at Nova Southeastern University’s Oceanographic campus.
Just over seven years ago, the catastrophic Deepwater Horizon spill caused millions of dollars in damage to Florida’s fishing industry, and threatened to do irreparable harm to the state’s pristine coastline and the lifeblood of its tourism economy.
In 2006, Nelson and then-Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla) fought for a no-drilling zone extending 125 miles off much of Florida’s Gulf Coast, and as far out as 235 miles at some points. That moratorium is in effect until 2022, but Nelson has filed the Marine Oil Spill Prevention Act to extend that moratorium for another five years. Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-16) will introduce an identical House version of the legislation today, which is expected to attract several bipartisan co-sponsors across Florida.
“Drilling off Florida’s coast threatens the state’s multi-billion dollar, tourism-driven economy that’s dependent on clean beaches and pollution-free water,” said Sen. Nelson. “That’s why I will continue to fight any attempt to lift the current moratorium on drilling in the Gulf and keep oil rigs off of Florida’s coasts.”
“Our coastline and pristine beaches are true environmental treasures, and the lifeblood of Florida’s tourism economy. It would be malpractice and colossally irresponsible to allow oil drilling activities to jeopardize all that,” said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz. “We do not have bipartisan agreement on many issues these days. But in Florida, we are almost completely united in opposing drilling off our coasts.”
“Florida’s coastal communities depend on a clean and healthy ocean and we shouldn’t jeopardize the state’s economy or environment by gambling on drilling operations that lack adequate safeguards,” said Rep. Buchanan (FL-16).
“In South Florida, our beaches are our economic lifeline,” said Congressman Deutch. “Oil spills devastate marine ecosystems, harm small businesses, and damage local communities. We have seen it in the Gulf and we do not want it on our shores. Why risk environmental catastrophe and economic losses? Instead, let’s keep Florida’s coastline and beaches oil-free.”
“Time and time again, disastrous oil spills have wreaked havoc on the environment and in communities across the country. I have often said that I will be the last person standing in Congress fighting to oppose new offshore oil-drilling, and believe that we must move beyond the dirty fuels of the past and establish a clear plan for clean, renewable energy,” said CongressmanAlcee L. Hastings (FL-20). “I am proud to join my friends, Senator Bill Nelson and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in introducing the Marine Oil Spill Prevention Act, which will extend the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in certain areas in the Gulf of Mexico for five years.”
The Marine Oil Spill Prevention Act:
· Extends the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in certain areas in the Gulf of Mexico another five years, until June 30, 2027;
· Directs the Coast Guard to designate areas that are at heightened risk of oil spills and implement measures to ameliorate that risk;
· Establishes a Gulf Coast Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (made up of representatives from the Gulf Coast States that are in the fishing, tourism, and conservation industries and contacts from state and federal marine and environmental agencies) to advise on facilities and tank vessels;
· Makes all owners of oil responsible for oil spill cleanup (currently, owners of oil are only responsible if the oil is being transported in a single-hull vessel);
· Requires a comprehensive review of the capacity of NOAA to respond to oil spills; and
· Directs NOAA to carry out a long-term marine environment monitoring and research program for the Gulf of Mexico.
This legislation is needed now more than ever, Wasserman Schultz said. President Trump signed an executive order Friday that could eventually open up millions of coastal acres off U.S. shores to oil and gas drilling, including Florida’s environmentally sensitive and economically vital coasts.
“Quite simply, we have always drawn a line in the sand when it comes to drilling off Florida’s coasts,” Wasserman Schultz said. “And that’s why we’re here again today. We are drawing a deeper, bipartisan line in the sand that says: keep your ‘drill baby, drill’ policies away from our vital, sensitive Florida coasts.”
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