Stop Florida Oil Drilling

Talking Points

In 2006, a compromise in the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act created a no-drilling buffer within a large swath of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico until 2022. This area, along with the entire west coast of Florida, supports diverse natural ecosystems, including corals, dolphins, fish nurseries, mangroves, and sea turtles.

During consideration of the Senate energy bill, Committee members threw out the 2006 compromise agreement turning their backs on Florida's coast. Even though the protections were supposedly guaranteed through the year 2022, this Big Oil amendment would immediately shrink the buffer from 125 miles to 45 miles off most of the Florida coast, and as little as 10 miles off the panhandle. In doing this, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee threw Florida, its coastlines, its beaches, and its wildlife into the dirty hands of the oil companies. Thats quite a insult considering the U.S. government's own Energy Information Agency reports that expanded offshore drilling is expected to have an insignificant impact on oil prices.

We have reached a pivotal moment, and the future of our oceans is hanging in the balance. We must reduce carbon dioxide emissions now by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

"At a time when new offshore drilling threatens our coasts around the nation, it is more important than ever to ensure that our decision-making processes are sound, independent and resistant to tampering by special interests regardless of the circumstances," says Surfrider Foundation’s Environmental Director Chad Nelsen.

IMMEDIATE ACTION is needed to tell Governor Crist, Senate President Atwater and Speaker of the House Cannon to keep oil drilling off ANY coastline of Florida.