Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
The Democratic-led Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee supported legislation today that would allow for oil and gas exploration off the coast of Florida. In an ironic twist, this includes an area that Republican President George W. Bush took off limits in 2002. Far more Congressional action is needed before the legislation is past, but today’s action is a sign of a changing political landscape.
Seven years ago, at the behest of his brother, Republican Governor of Florida Jed Bush, President George W. Bush spent over $100 million to curtail drilling near Florida’s coast by buying back seven of nine federal leases from oil companies in a resource rich area called Destin Dome. The government secured a ten-year nonproduction agreement from Murphy Oil, which decided not to sell back its two leases in a calculated decision to wait till the government reversed course.
The decision helped bolster the governor’s standing in his state while the Bush Administration heralded the deal — which also included buying back leases near the everglades — on environmental grounds. He said, “Florida is known worldwide for its beautiful coastal waters and the Everglades. Today we are acting to preserve both.” But it was a costly way to prolong the inevitable: more offshore drilling.
Now Byron Dorgan (D-ND) is leading the charge. His amendment is a bit more pragmatic. It is an attempt to get more Republican senators on board with a larger climate bill, by opening up for exploration a proven, hydrocarbon-rich area that could be developed quickly due to its proximity to existing infrastructure. The legislation does not open up all of the water near Florida as it codifies a moratorium elsewhere.
But even those areas may be eventually under threat, especially if the state of Florida passes legislation it considered earlier this year to allow drilling within state waters close to shore.
Today’s decision by a Senate committee still faces challenges including a filibuster threat from Florida senators. However, the legislation may well pass especially if Mary Landrieu (D-LA) introduces a popular, but deficit-busting provision to share federal revenue with states. Its beginning to look more clear: additional offshore drilling is in Florida’s future.