2 senators propose drilling deal - Gulf of Mexico

[donsu]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/orl-oil0206feb02,0,6323793.story?coll=sfla-news-florida)


Martinez, Nelson would open 740,000 acres in Gulf to end oil battle


Florida's two U.S. senators Wednesday offered a compromise that would open 740,000 acres of an energy-rich area of the eastern Gulf of Mexico to drilling in exchange for a permanent end to the perennial wrangling about oil and gas production off the state's coast.

The proposal by Republican Mel Martinez and Democrat Bill Nelson drew the support of environmentalists but a less enthusiastic response from the energy industry.

-snip-

House and Senate committee leaders with jurisdiction over drilling have favored opening larger areas of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. That effort turned into a pitched battle last year, and the idea was killed at the last minute by a band of Florida lawmakers.

"If we do nothing, we have to continue this knife fight every day," Nelson said.

-snip-

Environmental groups endorsed the bill quickly. Lydia Weiss, oceans lobbyist for Defenders of Wildlife, said she's worried about the drilling in "ecologically sensitive areas" but supports the proposal because it stops drilling in other parts of the Gulf.
-snip-
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if Nelson is afraid to knife fight he should get out of politics

if Lydia and the other environmental groups only want to fight for half measures they should step aside and let real fighters do the work.

[sasha031]

1. will we ever get out of the dark ages of oil

[donsu]

2. sure, when it runs out and there is no more money to be made from it

nt

[Luke21]

3. Foreign oil

If new sources of oil aren't found the Alaskan reserve will be tapped. I think that's what some of the Democrats are thinking.

We are dependent on foreign oil and subject to every strain of the market. We have our own oil reserve right here. That's where the argument begins. Off shore drilling has been controversial. So has drilling in ANWAR, but those high prices get people screaming, and Nelson is up for re-election in a Republican leaning state. He can say he's doing something, bi-partisan even, and you know politicians.

[Skink]

4. How about staff the rigs with Americans

[donsu]

5. are you saying they are staffed with mostly non americans?

nt

[Skink]

6. Pretty soon they will be