State has lost its say in drilling (Florida)

[seafan]

State has lost its say in drilling

A plan would ease oil and gas exploration in much of the Gulf.

Tamara Lytle
Washington Bureau Chief
Posted January 25 2006

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is poised in the next two weeks to offer an energy plan that could open millions of acres of the eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling.
Many of Florida's lawmakers weighed in Tuesday with a complaint that the administration quietly changed its rules to give pro-drilling states a greater say than Florida over whether that happens.

snip

Lawmakers and environmentalists say it is clear the Bush administration plans to offer millions of acres in Lease Sale 181 for auction to drillers. To lay the groundwork, they say, Interior Secretary Gale Norton changed regulations to take away Florida's standing to object. And she did it, they contend, without a chance for the public to weigh in.

"This administration is trying to do behind closed doors what they've been unable to do . . . in Congress: expose Florida's beaches to drilling," said Rep. Jim Davis, D-Tampa, a candidate for governor. Davis, along with Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson and 13 other House members, signed a letter of complaint to Norton.

The nine Florida Republicans and seven Democrats told Norton in their letter that the new lines "undermine Florida's ability to control activities off of its own coast, including offshore oil and gas drilling."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/orl-oildrill2506jan25,0,3700214.story?coll=sfla-news-florida

[hatrack]

1. Well, gee lil' Sunshine State Pubbies - Dance with them that brung ya!

Or some such folksy saying.

What did you assholes expect?

[MissMarple]

3. Pubbies?

:rofl:

[MissMarple]

2. Florida is whining...why do they hate America?

For anyone who doesn't get the sarcasm.....:sarcasm:

[DemInDistress]

4. jebby must know dimson will attack america again

martial law will be called suspending the 06' elections so its onward to the oilfields of florida....

[barbaraann]

5. I don't think the Bush Clan will be vacationing in Boca Grande again.

They cancelled their traditional vacation there this year and now it's clear why.

[lovuian]

6. There goes Beachfront property ... You knew Bush was

gonna do it...

[Cobalt Violet]

7. Did they really think the dictator wouldn't dictate?

:shrug:

[xxqqqzme]

8. A letter of complaint?

how quaint. I'm certain it will carry a lot of weight w/ gale.

[rpannier]

10. If they write one it had better be short and use only monosyllabic words

Cuz' George's attention span is about 45 seconds and for him reading anything above the level of "My Pet Goat" or "Hop on Pop" is quite a chore.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. Gee, imagine that. They can use Limbaughs estate for a supply area.

[brentspeak]

11. More sickening Bush crony corruption

The "ownership society": Where rich cronies own society.