Governor's support for drilling off Florida's coast draws fire

[Judi Lynn]

Oct. 15, 2005, 10:13PM

Governor's support for drilling off Florida's coast draws fire
Democratic and Republican critics fear weakening of coastal protections
By JOHN-THOR DAHLBURG
Los Angeles Times

MIAMI - Opposing offshore drilling for oil and gas traditionally has been a bipartisan affair in Florida, where the $57 billion annual tourism industry is greatly dependent on unsullied, inviting beaches.

But an announcement by Gov. Jeb Bush might signal the end of that political unity — and a split in his own party.

The governor has endorsed a plan developed in Washington that would allow, among other things, oil rigs 125 miles off the coast. In exchange, Bush said, the state would get other coastal protections.

"The governor is seeking better protection, and lasting protection, for Florida's coasts," Bush spokeswoman Deena Reppen said.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/politics/3397494
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[wakeme2008]

1. Yea right...

Jeb is Bush all the way. And we all know that the 125 limit is just BS. If an oil/gas field is 3 miles off Florida's beaches, that 125 would be changed to 2 miles.

[Mika]

2. Due to term limits, Jeb is no longer running for gov so its time to drill.

[salin]

3. longer and better protection? mmmm - what is the best beach protection

from a tanker spill 125 miles off coast... correct answer = No tanker!

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. They keep falling for it, don' they?

First, he promised off-shore protection, and now they lost it. Now he promises other coastal protections but that is a hollow promise and anyone with half a brain knows it.

[oneighty]

5. it is all part of

his "devious plan."

But in fact eventually the drilling will be done everywhere and we oil and gas consumers will be happy with lower costs.

180

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Lower costs is another empty promise.

All they have to do is create a diversion to hike the prices up. I remember the oil depletion days that amounted to nothing and look how high the price has gone up and stayed up since Katrina.

Are you telling me that we're not back to pre-Katrina oil refining days? Something stinks here, guys. And if we don't start demanding more accountability they're going to continue to fleece us.

[oneighty]

8. Agreed

And the more we citizens conserve the higher will become our unit cost.

We must contribute to the profit levels as they exist now and of course those profits will continue forever up wards as we shiver and shake.

180

[pushycat]

11. Right you are. We'll drill, cut, burn, or dig our way to cheap

fuel as long as it lasts. Extractive interests will make lots of money and some of will be stovepiped downward but limited to above the middle and lower class reach.

Unfortunately this unsustainable mindset will lead to an unsustainable environment. Then no amount of cash is gonna make a fresh tomato out of toxic soil/water/air. devious plan, for certain.

[4dsc]

7. How much oil off florida coast??

Can anyone give me an estimate of the oil reserves off the Florida coast versus ANWAR??

[jody]

9. JEB lied about supporting "no drilling" to get elected governor. Now he

must support the Corporatists agenda including unlimited oil drilling on public lands so that he gets Corporatists' funding for a run at the presidency.

[DawnneOBTS]

10. He doesn't have to worry about getting elected governor again...

...and, let's face it, nobody (short of election fraud) will actually elect him for anything again, so he's gotta make the money while he can just like his brother, the chimp. Rip off the country while you can, right? They'll never go for it here. Not with all of the environmentalists in this state. This would be reason for mass rioting.