Posted on 04/27/2009 1:57:48 PM PDT by thackney
A bill that would allow oil drilling off Florida's coast is ready for a vote in the state House of Representatives.
Today legislators questioned Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, for more than an hour, voicing concern about the bill that would allow the governor and Cabinet to approve drilling leases between 3 and 10.5 miles off the state's coast. They expressed worries that drilling could hurt the tourism industry, the seafood industry, and the environment.
Van Zant assured members that drilling technology has advanced to the point that there is minimal risk. He said opening the coast to oil and natural gas exploration could create thousands of jobs and bring billions of dollars to the state.
Among those questioning Van Zant was Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota, who wanted to know how Van Zant had figured the amount of money the oil and gas drilling industry might bring to the state, since he did not know at what rate it might be taxed.
"My impression was they didn't answer questions," said Fitzgerald afterward. "I asked the basis of estimates for revenues they would generate -- you can't possibly know if you don't know what the tax rate is going to be. He did explicitly acknowledge they didn't know what the revenues would be, didn't know the impact on tourism."
Fitzgerald voted against the measure Wednesday when it came before the House Policy Council. He intends to vote "no" again when it reaches the House floor, probably on Monday, he said. State Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, the other local legislator who was also a member of the council, voted for the measure Wednesday.
Galvano said his affirmative vote was meant to allow the issue to be brought up for debate. This morning, his office confirmed he would vote "no" when the measure came before the full House.
Back in the Jimmy Carter days, there was a Texas bumper sticker which read “DRIVE FAST, FREEZE A YANKEE IN THE DARK”.
The Californicators, Flohduh residents, and residents of ANY state where the majority votes against drilling available natural resources should be boycotted by energy producing states.
No drilling ? Then no gasoline, no natural gas, no heating oil. Import it from the Iranians and Venezuelans.
They drill all over Mobile area and do so safely.
Gives the fisherman a great reef to fish and it bring in energy.
I sail, dive and fish off Florida waters and I say Drill now.
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