Rumsfeld warns against Florida offshore drilling (interfers with military)

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2005-12-01T223835Z_01_N01336211_RTRIDST_0_ENERGY-CONGRESS-DRILLING.XML

WASHINGTON, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld warned the U.S. Senate a proposal to allow drilling
for natural gas off Florida's coast was "incompatible" with
pilot training, weapons testing and other military activities
in the state, according to a letter released on Thursday.

Citing high energy prices, many Republicans are pushing to
open the disputed federal offshore Lease 181, located near the
Florida Panhandle, for oil and natural gas drilling.

The Bush administration is considering whether to permit
drilling there as part of the federal government's 2007-2012
offshore leasing program.

In a letter to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman
John Warner, Rumsfeld said "drilling structures and associated
development would be incompatible with military activities,
such as missile flights, low-flying drone aircraft, weapons
testing and training."

<snip>

The U.S. military operates a live-fire weapons testing area
about 234 miles (375 km) off the coast of Tampa, where it tests
a variety of air- and ship-borne weapons.

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