Measure to lift ban on offshore drilling passes House panel

By Palm Beach Business.com

dean cannonTALLAHASSEE — Florida House Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) has unveiled a proposal Wednesday to lift the state's 30-year ban on oil and gas exploration and production in state waters.

The move, which passed the House Policy Council Wednesday by a party-line 17-6 vote, could generate $1.6 billion a year in revenue for the state and create more than 19,000 jobs, supporters said.

The measure would allow the governor and cabinet to consider a process for reviewing proposals for offshore exploration and production of oil and gas. State water extend 10 miles out from the shoreline.

Advocates see the move as a way to solve the state’s budget and economic woes.

"Florida's families and businesses are facing unprecedented economic challenges, and the potential for significant, new public revenues from oil and gas are immense," Associated Industries of Florida CEO Barney Bishop III said. "I am confident that we can do this in a way that will protect our environment and our precious coastline, which is such a critical natural resource for our state."

barnettMartha Barnett, a partner at Holland & Knight and past president of the American Bar Association agreed. "For the sake of our state's future, we cannot delay discussion of this issue any longer, nor ignore the benefits that other states continue to derive from their energy resources.”

Barnett is a lobbyist for a variety of clients, including Florida Energy Associates.

Opponents, however, cite the possibility of an oil spill, and the damage drilling could do to Florid’s beaches, and its largest industry: tourism.

State leaders, including Florida’s congressional delegation, traditionally have opposed offshore drilling because of the threat it would pose.

But proponents Wednesday cited a recent Mason Dixon poll showing that a majority of Floridians supports the idea if done in an environmentally safe way.

— 59 percent of Floridians generally support drilling off Florida's coast.

— 79 percent support drilling if it raises money for public education, health care and environmental protection.

— 83 percent support drilling if it will produce new jobs and stimulate the economy.

— 88 percent support drilling if it is environmentally safe.

The legislative session ends May 1, and there is no companion bill in the Senate.

 

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