Published: Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Senate votes to expand drilling in Gulf of Mexico
A provision keeps drillers from going within 125 miles of Florida.
ORLANDO SENTINEL
WASHINGTON — Overriding objections from some coastal lawmakers, the U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to expand offshore drilling in 8.3 million acres of the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
The measure, which passed 71-25, would clear the way for energy companies to harvest oil and natural gas in an area southwest of the Florida Panhandle. In a nod to Florida, it also would forbid drilling within 125 miles of the state until 2022.
But the proposal faces a tough road. In June, the House passed a more expansive drilling measure, and the two chambers must negotiate a compromise before sending a bill to President Bush.
Each side appears reluctant to deal.
Last week, Senate leaders said they would kill any compromise that did not provide adequate protection for Florida. These assurances were designed largely to enlist the support of Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, who vowed to undermine any drilling proposal that did not shield his state.
The guarantee worked, and the Democrat joined his Florida counterpart, Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, in support of the bill. Now the Senate must persuade the House to accept its version, and Martinez took to the floor Monday to vouch for the bill he helped craft.
"I believe that the protections for Florida in this bill are superior," said Martinez, touting the 125-mile drilling buffer. "We have to prevail on the Senate version of this bill."
House leaders
House leaders have been equally resolute, arguing that their bill provides ample coastal protections for Florida. Under its proposal, drilling would be permitted off the entire U.S. coastline, but not within 50 miles of shore.
States would have the option of extending the drilling barrier to 100 miles, or reducing it to a few miles.
Environmentalists have taken issue with both plans, but they said they fear the House proposal more because it puts protections in the hands of state legislatures — where they expect many states to adopt the 50-mile buffer instead of 100-mile protections.
Under both measures, states that allow nearby drilling would split royalties from offshore rigs with the federal government. It's a stipulation that has earned the support of Gulf Coast lawmakers, who usually oppose drilling legislation.
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
A provision keeps drillers from going within 125 miles of Florida.
ORLANDO SENTINEL
WASHINGTON — Overriding objections from some coastal lawmakers, the U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to expand offshore drilling in 8.3 million acres of the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
The measure, which passed 71-25, would clear the way for energy companies to harvest oil and natural gas in an area southwest of the Florida Panhandle. In a nod to Florida, it also would forbid drilling within 125 miles of the state until 2022.
But the proposal faces a tough road. In June, the House passed a more expansive drilling measure, and the two chambers must negotiate a compromise before sending a bill to President Bush.
Each side appears reluctant to deal.
Last week, Senate leaders said they would kill any compromise that did not provide adequate protection for Florida. These assurances were designed largely to enlist the support of Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, who vowed to undermine any drilling proposal that did not shield his state.
The guarantee worked, and the Democrat joined his Florida counterpart, Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, in support of the bill. Now the Senate must persuade the House to accept its version, and Martinez took to the floor Monday to vouch for the bill he helped craft.
"I believe that the protections for Florida in this bill are superior," said Martinez, touting the 125-mile drilling buffer. "We have to prevail on the Senate version of this bill."
House leaders
House leaders have been equally resolute, arguing that their bill provides ample coastal protections for Florida. Under its proposal, drilling would be permitted off the entire U.S. coastline, but not within 50 miles of shore.
States would have the option of extending the drilling barrier to 100 miles, or reducing it to a few miles.
Environmentalists have taken issue with both plans, but they said they fear the House proposal more because it puts protections in the hands of state legislatures — where they expect many states to adopt the 50-mile buffer instead of 100-mile protections.
Under both measures, states that allow nearby drilling would split royalties from offshore rigs with the federal government. It's a stipulation that has earned the support of Gulf Coast lawmakers, who usually oppose drilling legislation.
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Overriding objections from some coastal lawmakers, the U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to expand offshore drilling in 8.3...
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