Hands Across the Sand-Join us to stop near shore Oil Drilling In Florida Waters

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Hands Across the Sand
-Join us to stop near shore Oil Drilling In Florida Waters

The Florida House of Representatives has already passed a bill that would allow NEAR SHORE oil drilling, that’s within 3 miles of our beaches. The bill would allow pipelines to run to the shore as well. Texas Oil interests have bought off every lobbyist and politician against near-shore oil drilling in our waters. Unless something is done we will have Oil derricks in sight of and fouling our beaches in the near future.

David Pleat is running for District 7 House of Representatives, and we had a meet and greet at Bud & Alley's on October 1. While the election is far off, David is bringing attention to the fact that we may soon have Oil platforms off our coast unless something is done. David spoke eloquently about the importance of stopping Texas Oil interests from fouling our beaches.


The politicians are promising to fix all the states ills, you name it, as a sweetener to get it passed fully. Don Gaetz, our Senator is advocating it. (SEE CLARIFICATION BY SENATOR DON GAETZ AT BOTTOM OF THIS POST) Every representative in our area already voted for it. They had a quick vote at the end of session and the public hardly knows what happened. In the near future they will be trying to pass this fully by tacking it on the gambling pact that is up for a vote with the Seminole Tribe.

This issue affects our quality of life and tourism. This could happen as soon as December or sooner. Most politicians are trying to divert attention to the fact that they voted for this bill, many are already backpedaling. If we make this issue visible and create a groundswell of opposition the bill could be stopped but we must act quickly.

This is not a partisan issue this is a Florida issue. Our beaches are sacred no matter what your race, religion, sex or political affiliation. We need to come together on this issue for our children and grandchildren. Thank you for your help in passing this along to all Florida citizens. A website will be coming out soon, handsacrossthesand.org.

This is what I am suggesting we do.

Hands Across The Sand

Premise:

Initiate a movement to encourage the Concerned Citizens of Florida on a chosen day to join hands on the beach along the 1197 statute miles of Florida Coastline or the Florida Gulf Coast (779 miles) for 15 minutes to create a human line in the sand for the purpose of opposing the eminent legislation to allow near shore oil exploration along the pristine coast of Florida.

This is an effort to "Draw a line in the Sand" against near shore oil drilling in our waters. "We have a choice. Do we want a pristine white line or an oil-drenched polluted one? Believe me, it will be black as oil if this bill passes"

All we have to do is simply go to the beach and join hands for 15 minutes, simple right? This could happen as soon as next month so we need to get the word out. We will be choosing the day next week.

This should get national attention and we very well could stop this legislation in its tracks.

Number of People needed for the whole state
1056 people per mile (one every 5 feet) x 1197 miles = 1,264,032 people

Number of People needed for the Gulf Coast of Florida only
1056 people per mile (one every 5 feet) x 770 miles = 813,120 people

Thanks for your support,


Dave Rauschkolb

A clarification from Senator Don Gaetz

I received a call from Senator, Don Gaetz in the past hour and would like to clarify his position on this Bill. He felt I mischaracterized his position having stated he was among politicians "advocating" the bill. I apologized to him and asked him to state his position on near shore oil drilling.

Don told me his voting history speaks for itself and that he has not voted on the bill and would consider the bill if it is brought to the Senate taking into regard the economic, military and environmental impacts. He verified his position stated in the article below.

Don will be emailing me on Monday with a more in depth statement regarding his position on the matter. I have known Don personally for the past 24 years and it is my sincere hope when all is said and done he will stand with us in opposition to near shore drilling.

The fact remains that all of our local representatives in the House voted for this bill and this article confirms that it is being considered if certain issues regarding the military are satisfied. At some time in the near future a version of the house bill could go before the State Senate. As concerned Floridian's we should follow this matter very closely.

Local lawmakers: oil drilling bill must include military protections
Comments 2 | Recommend 1
September 12, 2009 05:50:00 PM
By MATT DIXON / News Herald Writer
PANAMA CITY — In April, the Florida House passed a bill that would allow the governor and cabinet authority to accept applications for oil and gas drilling as close as three miles off Florida's beaches.

Both area House members supported the legislation, which was never considered by the Senate, but only after provisions were made to protect the Panhandle’s five military bases.

“Jimmy Patronis and I both worked together to ensure that the bill had language that explicitly protected the area’s military interests,” said Rep. Marti Coley, R – Marianna.

With speaker-designate Rep. Dean Cannon, R – Winter Park, and Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R – Merritt Island, in line to become Senate President, set to co-author a similar piece of oil drilling legislation, the topic of oil drilling near the beaches of Bay County, and other coastal areas statewide, is again fast approaching.

Area lawmaker’s priorities, however, remain unchanged.

“If there is any type of military mission that could be affected by a drilling plan, I won’t support it,” Patronis, R – Panama City, said.

Because last session there was no companion to the House bill in the Senate, and Senate President Jeff Atwater, R – North Palm Beach, citing time restraints, refused to take up the House bill, Sen. Don Gaetz, R – Niceville, never got the opportunity to officially chime in on the issue.

He says, however, that he stands in lock step with Coley and Patronis.

“I am with the military,” he said. “If a bill would make us vulnerable in any way, or put us in danger of having any missions being picked off by Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid. … I will be the loudest voice saying, ‘Let’s slow down.’”

Gaetz said he thinks the issue will inevitably re-appear during the legislature regular session, but that talks of offshore oil drilling coming up during a potential two-day special session in October are pre-mature.

“I think it will come up again, and I think there will be companion bills with strong sponsors,” Gaetz said. “But it will not be a special session issue unless it’s a special session devoted entirely to the topic.

Coley said that talks she has had with House leadership about protecting military interests have gone well.

“I actually spoke with the speaker-designate about protecting the military when considering drilling off of our coast,” she said. “He told me. ‘That’s a given.’”

[Grayton Girl]

Thank you, Dave, for putting this issue in the forefront!! You have our complete and total support, and we are forwarding the substance of your post to everyone we know.

Let's do this!

[GoodWitch58]

Wonderful idea, Dave. I'll be there. and I am sending this to all my contacts. Thank you.

[kkddbb]

IM IN!

[2bohemians]

Count our hands in too!
Thanks Dave!

[Topsail Transplant]

Count me in also if its on a weekend. Thanks for putting this out there.

[Dave Rauschkolb]

We might do it Thanksgiving Weekend. I'll let you know when I know for Sure

[kkddbb]

We might do it Thanksgiving Weekend. I'll let you know when I know for Sure

let me know if i can help

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Local lawmakers: oil drilling bill must include military protections - News - The News Herald

Local Lawmakers are acting as though passage of the bill is a forgone conclusion and adding stipulations about the military.

[jodiFL]

You got 5 more from this household that will be there. PM me if you need help getting this done! I think that Thanksgiving Day would be very symbolic ....show them that we are thankful for the beaches we have and rely on for a living around here.

[Andy A]

First of all, I am totally in support of what Dave Rauschkolb has proposed.
Secondly, I called both Rep. Coley's and Sen Gaetz offices to express my displeasure with such drilling and was told by both that no such bill has been passed as yet. That is the information I have received. Make of it what you will. It was stated that such a bill was introduced last session but failed. It was stated that it will probably be re-introduced in the next session.

[Rita]

.
I want to follow this thread closely, so please keep it alive. We'll try to make plans if possible for Thanksgiving if that comes to be the date. We came over T-giving one year and all loved doing that!

.

[HandymanConnect]

We need to get the media involved to get the word out! Let us know what we can do to help.

[jack S]

First of all, I am totally in support of what Dave Rauschkolb has proposed.
Secondly, I called both Rep. Coley's and Sen Gaetz offices to express my displeasure with such drilling and was told by both that no such bill has been passed as yet. That is the information I have received. Make of it what you will. It was stated that such a bill was introduced last session but failed. It was stated that it will probably be re-introduced in the next session.

Andy; They will not tell you that a bill is coming because they DO NOT want you to Know!!!! This is an insidious campaign to ignore the wishes of the people by the legislature! It will only be by an overwelming uprising of the people that may stop it. Your and my representatives are not representing us, but they are representing texas oil!
A protest such as Dave's is the only thing that will get their attention. I will be there and I hope for a huge turnout.

[Bobby J]

You can count on my crew! Thanks Dave!

[rapunzel]

I love the Thanksgiving weekend idea. Lots of homeowners in town so they have an opportunity to join in, and who isn't thankful for our beautiful beaches?

We'll be there with bells on! And I'll be more than happy to provide any help you need putting it together!

[rapunzel]

First of all, I am totally in support of what Dave Rauschkolb has proposed.
Secondly, I called both Rep. Coley's and Sen Gaetz offices to express my displeasure with such drilling and was told by both that no such bill has been passed as yet. That is the information I have received. Make of it what you will. It was stated that such a bill was introduced last session but failed. It was stated that it will probably be re-introduced in the next session.

The bill was introduced as the clock struck midnight in the last session. It managed to pass the House, but ran out of time for a vote in the Senate. Rep. Coley did vote for the bill, and it did pass the House by a wide margin. This article predates the vote, but explains how it all came to pass -- Powerful gulf oil drilling lobby faces strong resistance in Florida - St. Petersburg Times

[Jdarg]

Awesome- thanks Dave.

I have no doubt our SoWal community will pull together for this one.

[Andy A]

The bill was introduced as the clock struck midnight in the last session. It managed to pass the House, but ran out of time for a vote in the Senate. Rep. Coley did vote for the bill, and it did pass the House by a wide margin. This article predates the vote, but explains how it all came to pass -- Powerful gulf oil drilling lobby faces strong resistance in Florida - St. Petersburg Times

I was told by the Representative's office that the bill failed. If what you say is correct, the office put a "spin" on what I was told. So what else is new? BTW, Betty and I will be glad to participate. Just tell us where and when.

[kurt]

Holiday weekend? Lots of locals leave. Some folks travel here but have no idea what is going on or are not motivated. Full of turkey, football, and satisfaction.

Sorry to bring up practical matters., but what about coastline which has no beach - marsh, river deltas, bay inlets, etc.?

Do locals have less say what happens on our beaches than corporations?

[rapunzel]

Looking further into Florida Energy Associates, LLC, I came across a bunch of stuff that is sending a chill down my spine. Apparently, part of their lobbying approach is to promise that the oil they're after is in the smallest counties and not a threat to the real population of Florida -- those along the Atlantic and in the Keys and Pinellas.

But if Florida Energy Associates gets its wish, what will Florida get? According to company officials, residents will see:

• Drilling for oil, not gas, but in only limited areas along the Gulf Coast, including off Pasco and Hernando counties and up in the Panhandle. However, there could be no drilling off Pinellas County's beaches, in the Keys or anywhere along the Atlantic coast.

• Blue-collar crew jobs on the rigs, but nothing for supervisors, who will likely be imported from Louisiana. The rigs will also require supplies ferried in by boats, not helicopters.

•Construction work building underwater pipelines — the source of most offshore spills — to carry the oil to Louisiana.

•No refineries, but some onshore facilities such as a plant to separate oil from the pollution-laden water that comes up with it. That could create further debates about where such a facility could be.

Oil drilling off Florida's coast means jobs and money, proponents say; questions remain - St. Petersburg Times

We should all be paying attention to incoming house speaker Dean Cannon (R-Orlando) and Florida Energy Associates. There is apparently nothing remotely Floridian about the group, and they aren't willing to reveal their identities.

[Miss Critter]

Excellent idea! How can I help? We cannot overestimate the seriousness of the implications of near-shore drilling. Greed preys on fear once again.

[Dave Rauschkolb]

I received a call from Senator, Don Gaetz in the past hour and would like to clarify his position on this Bill. He felt I mischaracterized his position having stated he was among politicians "advocating" the bill. I apologized to him and asked him to state his position on near shore oil drilling.

Don told me his voting history speaks for itself and that he has not voted on the bill and would consider the bill if it is brought to the Senate taking into regard the economic, military and environmental impacts. He verified his position stated in the article below.

Don will be emailing me on Monday with a more in depth statement regarding his position on the matter. I have known Don personally for the past 24 years and it is my sincere hope when all is said and done he will stand with us in opposition to near shore drilling.

The fact remains that all of our local representatives in the House voted for this bill and this article confirms that it is being considered if certain issues regarding the military are satisfied. At some time in the near future a version of the house bill could go before the State Senate. As concerned Floridian's we should follow this matter very closely.

Local lawmakers: oil drilling bill must include military protections
Comments 2 | Recommend 1
September 12, 2009 05:50:00 PM
By MATT DIXON / News Herald Writer
PANAMA CITY — In April, the Florida House passed a bill that would allow the governor and cabinet authority to accept applications for oil and gas drilling as close as three miles off Florida's beaches.

Both area House members supported the legislation, which was never considered by the Senate, but only after provisions were made to protect the Panhandle’s five military bases.

“Jimmy Patronis and I both worked together to ensure that the bill had language that explicitly protected the area’s military interests,” said Rep. Marti Coley, R – Marianna.

With speaker-designate Rep. Dean Cannon, R – Winter Park, and Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R – Merritt Island, in line to become Senate President, set to co-author a similar piece of oil drilling legislation, the topic of oil drilling near the beaches of Bay County, and other coastal areas statewide, is again fast approaching.

Area lawmaker’s priorities, however, remain unchanged.

“If there is any type of military mission that could be affected by a drilling plan, I won’t support it,” Patronis, R – Panama City, said.

Because last session there was no companion to the House bill in the Senate, and Senate President Jeff Atwater, R – North Palm Beach, citing time restraints, refused to take up the House bill, Sen. Don Gaetz, R – Niceville, never got the opportunity to officially chime in on the issue.

He says, however, that he stands in lock step with Coley and Patronis.

“I am with the military,” he said. “If a bill would make us vulnerable in any way, or put us in danger of having any missions being picked off by Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid. … I will be the loudest voice saying, ‘Let’s slow down.’”

Gaetz said he thinks the issue will inevitably re-appear during the legislature regular session, but that talks of offshore oil drilling coming up during a potential two-day special session in October are pre-mature.

“I think it will come up again, and I think there will be companion bills with strong sponsors,” Gaetz said. “But it will not be a special session issue unless it’s a special session devoted entirely to the topic.

Coley said that talks she has had with House leadership about protecting military interests have gone well.

“I actually spoke with the speaker-designate about protecting the military when considering drilling off of our coast,” she said. “He told me. ‘That’s a given.’”

Hands Across the Sand
-Join us to stop near shore Oil Drilling In Florida Waters

The Florida House of Representatives has already passed a bill that would allow NEAR SHORE oil drilling, that’s within 3 miles of our beaches. The bill would allow pipelines to run to the shore as well. Texas Oil interests have bought off every lobbyist and politician against near-shore oil drilling in our waters. Unless something is done we will have Oil derricks in sight of and fouling our beaches in the near future.

David Pleat is running for District 7 House of Representatives, and we had a meet and greet at Bud & Alley's on October 1. While the election is far off, David is bringing attention to the fact that we may soon have Oil platforms off our coast unless something is done. David spoke eloquently about the importance of stopping Texas Oil interests from fouling our beaches.


The politicians are promising to fix all the states ills, you name it, as a sweetener to get it passed fully. Don Gaetz, our Senator is advocating it. Every representative in our area already voted for it. They had a quick vote at the end of session and the public hardly knows what happened. In the near future they will be trying to pass this fully by tacking it on the gambling pact that is up for a vote with the Seminole Tribe.

This issue affects our quality of life and tourism. This could happen as soon as December or sooner. Most politicians are trying to divert attention to the fact that they voted for this bill, many are already backpedaling. If we make this issue visible and create a groundswell of opposition the bill could be stopped but we must act quickly.

This is not a partisan issue this is a Florida issue. Our beaches are sacred no matter what your race, religion, sex or political affiliation. We need to come together on this issue for our children and grandchildren. Thank you for your help in passing this along to all Florida citizens. A website will be coming out soon, handsacrossthesand.org.

This is what I am suggesting we do.

Hands Across The Sand

Premise:

Initiate a movement to encourage the Concerned Citizens of Florida on a chosen day to join hands on the beach along the 1197 statute miles of Florida Coastline or the Florida Gulf Coast (779 miles) for 15 minutes to create a human line in the sand for the purpose of opposing the eminent legislation to allow near shore oil exploration along the pristine coast of Florida.

This is an effort to "Draw a line in the Sand" against near shore oil drilling in our waters. "We have a choice. Do we want a pristine white line or an oil-drenched polluted one? Believe me, it will be black as oil if this bill passes"

All we have to do is simply go to the beach and join hands for 15 minutes, simple right? This could happen as soon as next month so we need to get the word out. We will be choosing the day next week.

This should get national attention and we very well could stop this legislation in its tracks.

Number of People needed for the whole state
1056 people per mile (one every 5 feet) x 1197 miles = 1,264,032 people

Number of People needed for the Gulf Coast of Florida only
1056 people per mile (one every 5 feet) x 770 miles = 813,120 people

Thanks for your support,


Dave Rauschkolb

[rapunzel]

“I am with the military,” he said. “If a bill would make us vulnerable in any way, or put us in danger of having any missions being picked off by Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid. … I will be the loudest voice saying, ‘Let’s slow down.’”

I suppose that means they've taken the Destin Dome -- the primary oil formation these guys say they are going after -- off the table? I wonder if Sen. Gaetz and our other representatives would be willing to publicly support protecting the dome a la the shore off Pinellas County?

As an aside, did I miss the civics class where they explained how the Speaker of the House or Senate Majority Leader could scrub military practice training missions? I think it's the commander that said drilling in the Destin dome would make Eglin redundant.

[SWGB]

Dear Mr. Gaetz,

Not voting is just as bad as voting for the bill. Grow a spine, grow up, and vote how your constituents want you too.

Sincerely,

Someone who does vote

---------------------------------------------
Dear Representatives Coley and Patronis,

Not all of us work for or receive benefits from the military. This is not the only economic engine in the area and we still need tourism. Obviously planes will still fly with an oil slick in the Gulf, but the tourists will not come.

Specifically Mr. Patronis once you hit term limits it will probably force you back to working in your family business. The one that is supported primarily by tourists. Don't worry about my or others futures, but remember your own. I don't care how good your food is, it's hard to cook if you can't get local seafood because oil killed it. It's also hard to eat when all you can smell is petroleum fumes.

Sincerely,

One of your constituents

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Powerful gulf oil drilling lobby faces strong resistance in Florida

By Lucy Morgan and Mary Ellen Klas, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
In Print: Monday, April 27, 2009


TALLAHASSEE — Dangling the promise of millions for the state's dwindling budget, a group of mostly unidentified oil and gas companies is bankrolling a last-minute fight to bring offshore drilling to Florida's coastline.

Florida Energy Associates LLC, a corporation formed in December by Daytona Beach lawyer Doug Daniels, has hired at least 20 of the state's most prominent lobbyists to push bills through the Legislature in the final week of the session. Most of the lobbyists were hired in the past 10 days, but the proposal has been planned for months.

The measure, slated for votes in the House and Senate this week, would give the governor and Cabinet authority to approve oil and gas exploration 3 to 10 miles off the Florida coast.

The sudden appearance of the issue near the end of a troubled legislative session has sparked outrage from environmental groups and Democrats in both houses who question why it surfaced with little time for discussion and debate.

Gov. Charlie Crist initially said he was willing to look at the measure but has since questioned the way lawmakers have rushed the bill through.

"Whenever you do something like that, you want to make sure that it's well thought out, that it's done in a very deliberate manner and that people have an opportunity to review it in a reasonable way," Crist said Friday.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink have joined the fray, denouncing the proposal and saying they can't believe any Florida lawmaker would seriously consider letting oil drilling occur so close to the state's priceless beaches.

Nelson contends there is not enough oil available to justify the environmental risk. Supporters of the bill say Nelson's view of oil drilling is outdated because new technology would allow drilling without unsightly offshore rigs and little danger of oil spills.

The group intends to use a seismic tool that uses satellite technology to pinpoint oil and gas reserves, said M. Lance Phillips, a Texas lawyer who is a principal partner in Florida Energy Associates. He said the investors believe Florida's potential includes "several major oil fields" within the Gulf of Mexico.

Once the plan is approved, Phillips said, a test well could be drilled within 10 days, and oil tapped within 18 months.

Associated Industries of Florida, the state's most prominent business lobbying group, is leading the fight for the bill, but no one will identify all of those who are paying for an expensive lobbying and public relations campaign that now includes television and newspaper advertising.

Phillips of Mexia, Texas, and Dallas lawyer William Lewis Sessions appeared before a House committee considering the issue last week. Phillips owns Oil and Gas Acquisitions, an independent oil and gas exploration company, and is the chairman of the Limestone County Republican Party. Sessions, the son of former FBI Director William Sessions and brother of Texas congressman Pete Sessions, represents oil company clients, as well as the Cherokee Indians of Texas.

Daniels, the Daytona Beach lawyer who formed the corporation, says others helping finance the campaign "prefer not to have the notoriety."

"They prefer not to have other people in the oil business know they are looking in Florida," Daniels said Saturday.

Daniels said his group filed the original bill earlier this year. That bill (H1219) would have directed the Department of Environmental Protection to come up with a plan for developing offshore oil reserves. The bill was expanded last week with an amendment filed by Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park.

Cannon said he decided to push the issue late in the session after Associated Industries president Barney Bishop approached him a few weeks ago. "For a long time, offshore oil drilling was the third rail; we didn't talk about it," Cannon said. "But when gas prices spiked last summer, I thought about it and the hazard of not having our own supply."

Ron Sachs Communications went to work for Daniels' corporation two weeks ago after initially meeting with the group in December. Sachs, a former communications director for Gov. Lawton Chiles who opposed offshore drilling, said the individuals behind the move are small, independent men and women and not big companies.

"There is a lot more suspicion about this than there should be," Sachs insisted.

Sachs refused to say how much is being spent for advertising and public relations, economic analysis and a pollster, but he said that drilling could provide the state with enough revenue to resolve many of its budget shortfalls.

Lobbyists hired to fight for the bill include the team at Southern Strategy Group, which includes former House Speaker John Thrasher; Holland & Knight lobbyist Martha Barnett; former Secretary of State Jim Smith; and Wade Hopping.

Although all lobbyists will have to disclose the fees they are earning in quarterly reports, only one of them would answer questions about fees for the oil drilling bill. Smith said he had been asked to help and signed a yearlong contract for $10,000 a month.

I received a call from Senator, Don Gaetz in the past hour and would like to clarify his position on this Bill. He felt I mischaracterized his position having stated he was among politicians "advocating" the bill. I apologized to him and asked him to state his position on near shore oil drilling.

Don told me his voting history speaks for itself and that he has not voted on the bill and would consider the bill if it is brought to the Senate taking into regard the economic, military and environmental impacts. He verified his position stated in the article below.

Don will be emailing me on Monday with a more in depth statement regarding his position on the matter. I have known Don personally for the past 24 years and it is my sincere hope when all is said and done he will stand with us in opposition to near shore drilling.

The fact remains that all of our local representatives in the House voted for this bill and this article confirms that it is being considered if certain issues regarding the military are satisfied. At some time in the near future a version of the house bill could go before the State Senate. As concerned Floridian's we should follow this matter very closely.

Local lawmakers: oil drilling bill must include military protections
Comments 2 | Recommend 1
September 12, 2009 05:50:00 PM
By MATT DIXON / News Herald Writer
PANAMA CITY — In April, the Florida House passed a bill that would allow the governor and cabinet authority to accept applications for oil and gas drilling as close as three miles off Florida's beaches.

Both area House members supported the legislation, which was never considered by the Senate, but only after provisions were made to protect the Panhandle’s five military bases.

“Jimmy Patronis and I both worked together to ensure that the bill had language that explicitly protected the area’s military interests,” said Rep. Marti Coley, R – Marianna.

With speaker-designate Rep. Dean Cannon, R – Winter Park, and Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R – Merritt Island, in line to become Senate President, set to co-author a similar piece of oil drilling legislation, the topic of oil drilling near the beaches of Bay County, and other coastal areas statewide, is again fast approaching.

Area lawmaker’s priorities, however, remain unchanged.

“If there is any type of military mission that could be affected by a drilling plan, I won’t support it,” Patronis, R – Panama City, said.

Because last session there was no companion to the House bill in the Senate, and Senate President Jeff Atwater, R – North Palm Beach, citing time restraints, refused to take up the House bill, Sen. Don Gaetz, R – Niceville, never got the opportunity to officially chime in on the issue.

He says, however, that he stands in lock step with Coley and Patronis.

“I am with the military,” he said. “If a bill would make us vulnerable in any way, or put us in danger of having any missions being picked off by Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid. … I will be the loudest voice saying, ‘Let’s slow down.’”

Gaetz said he thinks the issue will inevitably re-appear during the legislature regular session, but that talks of offshore oil drilling coming up during a potential two-day special session in October are pre-mature.

“I think it will come up again, and I think there will be companion bills with strong sponsors,” Gaetz said. “But it will not be a special session issue unless it’s a special session devoted entirely to the topic.

Coley said that talks she has had with House leadership about protecting military interests have gone well.

“I actually spoke with the speaker-designate about protecting the military when considering drilling off of our coast,” she said. “He told me. ‘That’s a given.’”

[Dave Rauschkolb]

I guess we will all see what really happens!


Crist eager for October special session on Seminole gambling compact

By Jim Ash
FLORIDA CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF

Gov. Charlie Crist, eager for the state to tap $162 million in gambling proceeds while he campaigns for the U.S. Senate, wants legislators to approve a Seminole gaming compact in an October special session.

Crist is so eager to put lawmakers to work, that he would even consider taking up offshore drilling in the same session.


"At this point, he is open to topics other than the compact," said his spokesman, Sterling Ivey.

But House and Senate leaders are less than enthusiastic.

Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, is still studying the controversial gambling expansion proposal, and is in no rush to sign off, said his spokeswoman Jaryn Emhoff.

"Until we finish that and have a good idea of what's in it, any talk of a special session is very premature."

Conservatives such as Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, frown on any gambling extension. And squeezing an explosive issue like offshore drilling into the same special session is not a good idea, Gaetz said.

"That's not a two-day special-session topic," he said. "It's much more complicated than drill baby drill, or a bumper sticker with a rig with a line through it."

[jack S]

Protecting only the military mission is very different than protecting the ocean! So is everyone OK with drilling as long as it's in someone else's part of the gulf?
Don't let em off the hook. We lose if we get drilling anywhere ! They don't need to do it. It is pure greed!

[rapunzel]

My point was that Florida Energy Associates are attempting to tamp down opposition in Tampa, Miami, the Atlantic coast and the Keys by saying they only want to explore areas off Pasco County and the Panhandle. Our representatives are all Republican, and the Republican leadership is really pushing this issue so they aren't likely to oppose the legislation. The heavily Democratic areas have been reassured they won't be affected, which I am sure they calculate will keep public outrage to a minimum.

As for the Destin Dome (natural gas) and areas inshore from the dome (where most of the oil is imagined to be) -- that's just my way of questioning what sort of provisions to protect the military could possibly be in this bill. There is not enough oil to justify hiring every established lobbyist in Tallahassee if they don't get rigs north and northeast of the Destin Dome.

Incidentally, the bill applies to state waters (3-12) miles out, but gives county commissioners the right to enter into leases in the waters out to the three mile line. Can you imagine this kind of lobbying money and pressure being brought to bear on the BCC?

[Dave Rauschkolb]

For Immediate Release

October 2, 2009



Contact: Mark Hollis, Florida House Democratic Office

850-488-9622



MEDIA ADVISORY



The Florida House Democratic Caucus will host a discussion on Tuesday, October 6, concerning proposals to lift the ban on offshore oil drilling in state waters.



Expected presenters include: Frank Matthews of the Hopping Green & Sams law firm and others representing Florida Energy Associates; Eric Draper of the Florida Audubon Society; and various other experts on the subject.



The media is invited---but the question-and-answer portion of the presentation is limited to members of the Florida House Democratic Caucus.



Details for the event are as follows:



Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: House Democratic Caucus Conference Room, 316 The Capitol



# # #





Mark Hollis

Communications Director

Democratic Office

Florida House of Representatives

850-488-9622

The Homepage for the Florida House Democratic Caucus

[worldpeaceone]

Dave, Keep up the great work. Together we can hold these elected officials responsible for their votes and actions. Count me in for Hands across the sand. We need to let them know that we, the citizens, do matter.

[TooFarTampa]

So glad for this thread, thank you Dave for being you.

[Bobby J]

Protecting only the military mission is very different than protecting the ocean! So is everyone OK with drilling as long as it's in someone else's part of the gulf?
Don't let em off the hook. We lose if we get drilling anywhere ! They don't need to do it. It is pure greed!

Can you imagine the "brown bags" being exchanged over this one!

[MRBS]

Thank you for posting this information. I am sick.We have not invested our vacation dollars in the coast of my home state of Alabama for all of the years we have been vacationing because of Alabama's permissiveness of off shore drilling, visible from the shore!!!! My reaction to first seeing the derrick off shore was intense and I feel it regrettably and palpably to this day. I was shocked; it RUINED the experience and I have never been back. Now, many years later I realize it does not matter whether you can see it from shore; just that much further only removes it from the visible disgust but not the environmental and economic REAL hazards. I believe it was my favorite sowal tamale makers that previously posted the illustrative map of off shore rigs off LA. MS and AL that some might find helpful.

I don't often use this expression but DEAR GOD! Please, do not let this happen. We'll come to the beach to evidence our solidarity with you; to whom should we write? Your electeds? Carl Hiaasen?

[SHELLY]

Thank you for posting this information. I am sick.We have not invested our vacation dollars in the coast of my home state of Alabama for all of the years we have been vacationing because of Alabama's permissiveness of off shore drilling, visible from the shore!!!! My reaction to first seeing the derrick off shore was intense and I feel it regrettably and palpably to this day. I was shocked; it RUINED the experience and I have never been back. Now, many years later I realize it does not matter whether you can see it from shore; just that much further only removes it from the visible disgust but not the environmental and economic REAL hazards. I believe it was my favorite sowal tamale makers that previously posted the illustrative map of off shore rigs off LA. MS and AL that some might find helpful.

I don't often use this expression but DEAR GOD! Please, do not let this happen. We'll come to the beach to evidence our solidarity with you; to whom should we write? Your electeds? Carl Hiaasen?

To Daulphin Island,
With Love,
Katrina.

(This beauty drifted 66 miles)

[Wavewatcher]

This shot was taken at Dauphin Island after Hurricane Katrina. We will do what needs to be done to not see this sight on our coastline. This is one of the most important issues that we need to address now, thanks Dave and please keep us notified of what we need to do to help prevent oil drilling off of Florida's Emerald Coast.

[jack S]

Surfrider Emerald Coast has a resolution against drilling that you can read at; Emerald Coast Chapter Surfrider Foundation
I would encourage you to visit this page; Take Action: Stop Florida Oil Drilling

You can send messages to some involved.

Another site that you can watch; *

updates on legislation affecting us.

The More noise we make.... the better.

[Miss Kitty]

Count on 8 Kitty family hands on this great day of support!

Fill, Baby Fill...fill the beaches with your hands to stop this lunacy!

[Dave Rauschkolb]

As promised Senator Don Gaetz sent me his in depth views regarding Oil Drilling in the our waters. I am very pleased to receive his comments, share them with you and thank him for taking the time to expand our understanding of his position.

I see this as a beginning; a beginning of an important and crucial dialog between the citizens of Northwest Florida and Senator Gaetz and other local lawmakers about this issue of proposed future oil exploration of our region.

The haste and timing in which House Bill 1219 (Oil Drill Bill) was passed is a cause for great concern for our region. The fact that Governor Christ wanted to consider taking up offshore oil drilling during a possible 2 day special session is an even greater cause for concern. Thankfully, It appears that won't happen this month and it is heartening to see in his comments below Senator Gaetz appears to be steering a more deliberate and thoughtful course regarding this issue. Any effort to push through this type of highly impactful legislation on our region could very well be political folly.



Dear Dave,

Thanks very much for your email, for the clarification you posted and for our telephone conversation. You may certainly post or otherwise distribute the following in any way you feel is appropriate:

This past Friday I learned that Dave Rauschkolb had posted on a local website a definitive statement that I have commited to supporting a bill authorizing offshore oil drilling in our area. Dave and I have known each other for more than 20 years, during all of which I have been a South Walton property owner and taxpayer and, for a time, a member and chairman of the Seaside Town Council. I was surprised to read Dave's posting since he had never contacted me about my position on this issue, despite our longstanding friendship. When I called him to inquire as to his source, it turned out he was relying upon information from a political candidate from a party other than mine who also had never spoken with me.

I appreciate this chance to share my views directly.

During my three years as a senator the issue of offshore drilling has come before the Senate once, in 2007. I voted with the majority of the Senate in favor of a resolution encouraging our state's congressional delegation to oppose unfettered offshore drilling.

In 2009 the House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill which would have given broad authority to the Governor and Cabinet to pursue offshore drilling. That bill was not considered by the Senate. If it would have come to the Senate floor in the form the House passed it, I would have voted against the bill because it was far too broadly drawn and did not protect Northwest Florida.

I am not opposed to expanding domestic oil and gas production. In fact, I favor an aggressive energy independence policy that would loosen the stranglehold which the Middle East has on the American economy and American national security. In my view, our country must take strong action to distance ourselves from the whims and demands of oil producing countries in the Middle East. That's why I support expanded nuclear power, expanded clean coal energy, cost-effective alternative fuels and more oil and gas exploration and refining here in America.

This is not a bumper sticker issue. In my view, the responsible approach is neither "Drill, baby, drill" nor an oil derrick with a NO sign through it. For those of us in Northwest Florida, there are several concerns that have to be addressed carefully and factually.

For me, the first question that has to be asked and answered is the impact of any offshore exploration or drilling proposal on the foundation of our regional economy -- our military bases and military missions. Historically, our military has raised the caution flag about unfettered offshore drilling becaus of the affect it could have on the testing and training missions conducted in the Eglin Range by the Air Force and Navy. The maps I have seen show the Eglin Range comprising a significant portion of the Gulf of Mexico from Pensacola to the southern end of the Florida penninsula. I have heard military officials express concern that oil or gas platforms above the waves in parts of the Eglin Range could compromise our military missions.

I will not vote for any offshore oil or gas exploration that would compromise the testing and training missions of the military. Aside from the national defense implications, the economy of Northwest Florida depends on our military bases and related industries. There is no aspect of our regional economy which provides more jobs and more resources than the military and military contractors. Other locales and states are actively competing against us for our bases and missions. The tens of thousands of families who depend directly on those jobs and the hundreds of thousands who depend on the economic activity generated by those jobs have to be taken into account in considering any proposed legislation.

That's why I continue to consult with base officials about various proposals which have been presented, withdrawn, amended, or advocated concerning offshore drilling and exploration. If a bill on this subject were to reach the floor of the Senate, my first five phone calls would be to the commanders of the five military bases in my district from Pensacola to Panama City.

I am not an expert on drilling or exploration technology but I am learning more all the time. Technology does exist which would allow exploration beneath the surface without huge oil platforms in the immediate area. Military officials have told me that could mitigate some of their concerns and therefore some of the concerns I share with many area residents. The determination will be in the details of any specific proposal.

Like many of my neighbors who live and work in South Walton and other beachfront areas, I will have probing questions about the environmental safety of drilling and exploration technology. Our incomprable beaches shouldn't be and don't have to be victims of careless stewardship. Like others in our area, I'll want to know about the refining capabilities that would support exploration and drilling, where they would be located, and how they would be operated. I'll ask any drilling advocates who appear before me in the Senate to detail the lead time and positive impact additional drilling in the Gulf would have on energy prices for consumers. I'll ask about the several thousand oil and gas platforms now in the Gulf which are not being used. And, certainly I'll want to know from valid and reliable sources the revenue impact and cost impact on our state. I'm sure there will be even more questions arise as specific proposals are written and defined and debated.

That is the final and perhaps most important point to make: there is no offshore oil drilling bill introduced in the Florida Legislature as of this date. It's likely there will be a bill and that it will be sponsored by very influential and respected legislators. However, no bill exists today and therefore it isn't possible for me to evaluate how its specific terms and conditions would affect our military, our economy, our environment, prices at the pump, costs or revenues.

I believe it is not responsible to declare for or against a bill that hasn't been introduced or even written yet. Moreover, few bills are passed in the form in which they are introduced. The amendatory process can substantially change a bill for better or worse. As you might infer from my comments here, it's likely that I would be among those offering amendments to a bill dealing with offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling. You might also infer the nature of such amendments from my comments.

If a bill of this nature is introduced -- and I think it's likely that will happen -- I will be asking the people I represent to consider the legislation and offer their comments, positive and negative, and their suggestions, if any, for change. Aside from exploring the variables I've outlined above through committee hearings and meeting directly with proponents and opponents, I want to listen to what the people of Northwest Florida think before I decide how to vote. While I welcome comments at any time on any subject, the most useful guidance from constituents will probably come after a bill is in final form and we've all had the opportunity to review it.

That approach seems to give us a better chance to make good public policy than to rely on second and third hand characterizations of my position from well-meaning folks who didn't speak with me nor have they had the opportunity to actually read what the 2010 Legislature might be asked to consider.

Respectfully,

Senator Don Gaetz

[Grayton Girl]

Wow…. I guess when you ask a politician for a clear and concise view on whether he supports or opposes oil and gas drilling and exploration in state waters, you get a politician’s answer.

It would have so refreshing to hear him say, plain and simple, “I oppose all drilling in state waters.” Unfortunately, Senator Gaetz did not say this. In fact, if it weren’t for his concern about the effect on the military, he might even say that he supports it …. provided that “the drilling advocates” could convince him that it would be good for our economy and for gas prices while also being safe for our environment.

Perhaps, rather than questioning the Proponents of drilling, he should pose his questions to the Opponents of near-shore drilling. Obviously, drilling advocates are just that – they advocate that drilling in our local waters (which go from the shore to about 9 miles out) will be great for the economy and relatively harmless to our environment.

This weekend, I had a chance to view the final form of the bill that passed the House in the last days of the 2009 session. The bill, HB 1219, was filed as a 2-page bill. By the end of the session, that bill had expanded to become a 21-page bill. Most of the late amendments to the bill included how the drilling and exploration revenues would be spent in our state. The bill states that the royalties, rents and payments that the State receives will go toward a litany of wonderful programs for our state. Of course, the money currently being spent on those programs will just be re-appropriated to other areas (not unlike the lottery money that replaced the old education funding dollars).

The bottom line is that the oil drilling advocates and our State Representatives & Senators who will be filing this bill during the next session believe that we, the people, can be easily bought off.

It is sad to me that 100% of our panhandle representatives voted in favor of the House Bill in 2009. And it is sad to me that Senator Gaetz refuses to take a position opposing all drilling and exploration in state waters. Can he really be convinced that the technology is so advanced now that there will be no environmental harm? If that is so, then why did HB 1219 contain a provision requiring a surety bond of either $500 million dollars (!!!) or (and please carefully read this language):

“A calculated cost estimate for potential damages related to, but not limited to, air, water, and ground pollution, destruction of wildlife or marine productivity, and any other damage that impairs the health and general welfare of the citizens of the state, as based on reasonably foreseeable accidents or occurrences associated with the particular oil and gas development or production activity within the immediate area of the oil and gas lease.”

Those risks sound pretty scary to me!

What should we do?
Well, while Senator Gaetz makes the point that he can’t know how to react until a bill is actually filed for the next session, we surely do not need to be sitting on our hands waiting for that unfortunate day to occur. Because it WILL occur.

What we all need to do is let Senator Gaetz (and Representative Coley) know that we, the citizens, do not support ANY oil or gas exploration in state waters! In fact, why don’t Senator Gaetz, Representative Coley and the other members of the local panhandle delegation follow the lead of our business communities (area Chambers of Commerce), ALL of which oppose any oil and gas exploration in our state waters. We need to put the pressure on the folks who are representing us in the Florida House and Senate. This issue is not going away! And I am convinced that it will be the biggest issue that will be faced in 2010.

If you are interested in following the history of last session’s House Bill or if you want to stay on top of what is being filed and amended this year, you can go to Florida’s Online Sunshine, which has all sorts of information and ways to track legislation:
www.leg.state.fl.us If you want to see last year’s bill, what you do is click on the word “House” on the left of the page. Then, on the left under the words “Bill Finder” you can put in the year “2009” and the number “1219” in the empty box below that. Press “Go” and the page with all this bill’s history will pop up. Fool around on it awhile and you can see the vote history, the specific amendments that either failed or were adopted, the final bill language (referred to as the Engrossed 1), the various staff analyses of the bill, etc.

Let’s keep the dialogue going about this important issue. While I understand why he says what he says, I disagree wholeheartedly with Senator Gaetz’ opinion that this issue must be studied and understood before we can really make an informed decision. Really? You mean there WOULD be situations where we could all support oil rigs and oil & gas exploration in our pristine state waters? I don’t think so. And I hope you don’t think so either.

[Jdarg]

Thank you Grayton Girl- you are right. We can't just sit back and wait for Sen. Gaetz to look at the bill- we need to start firm and stay firm on no drilling- period.

[Franny]

We are in and look forward to making a strong statement. Media exposure would be great. Perhaps if we have matching t-shirts our voices would be heard louder???

[jack S]

When you send Emails to legislators, title the subject NO DRILLING! They don't often read the emails, but they will see the title.

more info on drilling; Oil Drilling in Offshore & FL State Waters « Surfrider Foundation Florida Blog

You don't have to join surfrider to engage in the take action.

More Noise!!!!

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Thank you Grayton Girl! Thank you for such a thoughtful and thorough analysis.

It would be helpful to actually have a copy of the bill itself on this thread. I have it in PDF form but for some reason my Mac goes into "death wheel" mode every time I try to load it. If you can do it I would very much appreciate it. At the very least the link guidance you provided is helpful.

Dave

Wow…. I guess when you ask a politician for a clear and concise view on whether he supports or opposes oil and gas drilling and exploration in state waters, you get a politician’s answer.

It would have so refreshing to hear him say, plain and simple, “I oppose all drilling in state waters.” Unfortunately, Senator Gaetz did not say this. In fact, if it weren’t for his concern about the effect on the military, he might even say that supports it …. provided that “the drilling advocates” could convince him that it would be good for our economy and for gas prices while also being safe for our environment.

Perhaps, rather than questioning the Proponents of drilling, he should pose his questions to the Opponents of near-shore drilling. Obviously, drilling advocates are just that – they advocate that drilling in our local waters (which go from the shore to about 9 miles out) will be great for the economy and relatively harmless to our environment.

This weekend, I had a chance to view the final form of the bill that passed the House in the last days of the 2009 session. The bill, HB 1219, was filed as a 2-page bill. By the end of the session, that bill had expanded to become a 21-page bill. Most of the late amendments to the bill included how the drilling and exploration revenues would be spent in our state. The bill states that the royalties, rents and payments that the State receives will go toward a litany of wonderful programs for our state. Of course, the money currently being spent on those programs will just be re-appropriated to other areas (not unlike the lottery money that replaced the old education funding dollars).

The bottom line is that the oil drilling advocates and our State Representatives & Senators who will be filing this bill during the next session believe that we, the people, can be easily bought off.

It is sad to me that 100% of our panhandle representatives voted in favor of the House Bill in 2009. And it is sad to me that Senator Gaetz refuses to take a position opposing all drilling and exploration in state waters. Can he really be convinced that the technology is so advanced now that there will be no environmental harm? If that is so, then why did HB 1219 contain a provision requiring a surety bond of either $500 million dollars (!!!) or (and please carefully read this language):

“A calculated cost estimate for potential damages related to, but not limited to, air, water, and ground pollution, destruction of wildlife or marine productivity, and any other damage that impairs the health and general welfare of the citizens of the state, as based on reasonably foreseeable accidents or occurrences associated with the particular oil and gas development or production activity within the immediate area of the oil and gas lease.”

Those risks sound pretty scary to me!

What should we do?
Well, while Senator Gaetz makes the point that he can’t know how to react until a bill is actually filed for the next session, we surely do not need to be sitting on our hands waiting for that unfortunate day to occur. Because it WILL occur.

What we all need to do is let Senator Gaetz (and Representative Coley) know that we, the citizens, do not support ANY oil or gas exploration in state waters! In fact, why don’t Senator Gaetz, Representative Coley and the other members of the local panhandle delegation follow the lead of our business communities (area Chambers of Commerce), ALL of which oppose any oil and gas exploration in our state waters. We need to put the pressure on the folks that we voted to represent us in the Florida House and Senate. This issue is not going away! And I am convinced that it will be the biggest issue that will be faced in 2010.

If you are interested in following the history of last session’s House Bill or if you want to stay on top of what is being filed and amended this year, you can go to Florida’s Online Sunshine, which has all sorts of information and ways to track legislation:
www.leg.state.fl.us If you want to see last year’s bill, what you do is click on the word “House” on the left of the page. Then, on the left under the words “Bill Finder” you can put in the year “2009” and the number “1219” in the empty box below that. Press “Go” and the page with all this bill’s history will pop up. Fool around on it awhile and you can see the vote history, the specific amendments that either failed or were adopted, the final bill language (referred to as the Engrossed 1), the various staff analyses of the bill, etc.

Let’s keep the dialogue going about this important issue. While I understand why he says what he says, I disagree wholeheartedly with Senator Gaetz’ opinion that this issue must be studied and understood before we can really make an informed decision. Really? You mean there WOULD be situations where we could all support oil rigs and oil & gas exploration in our pristine state waters? I don’t think so. And I hope you don’t think so either.

[Grayton Girl]

Here are 2 links to the final version of HB 1219, the bill that was passed last session in the Florida House of Representatives. One version is a web page and one version is a pdf. Hope these links will work.

Session :Bills : : flsenate.gov

http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session.../h121904e1.pdf

[Dave Rauschkolb]

I recently said the following in a recent letter to Senator Don Gaetz, I have left out a few personal elements.

........I am deeply passionate about protecting our coastal waters. I believe it is imperative to defend our beaches and coastal waters from the potential ravages of the Oil Industry regardless of the economic upside promised by powerful oil interests. For me, it's not about politics it's about protection. Frankly, I have not met one person locally who supports this legislation aside from our elected local representatives.

Most of your district is along the coast from Escambia to Bay county and in many ways the future of our coastline is in your hands; you truly are our coastal Senator. I am extremely pleased you voted against drilling on our coastline in 2007. My concern is that the vote on this new bill very possibly will go along party lines and even if you voted against it, it would pass. Regardless of promises from the Oil companies of limiting exploration to "under the surface" technology we know, once the drilling begins there will be no turning back, more and more will occur especially if they find Oil.

I would assume Pensacola and Panama city would become major transport and support hubs. It's not just the oil rigs themselves, it's the increased support boat traffic and related pollution that will directly affect our clean, emerald waters. I simply don't see any new technology that will protect our coastline from that. All we need to do is look west to see what Texas beaches are like.

Don, as you well know our local economy is based in tourism and the military. The beauty of our beaches is why people come here and that beauty is why our area has lasting value, value that feeds our whole economy from retail to restaurants to real estate. We have never been and should not convert our ports into major industrial hubs. Why do you think Scenic 30-A has become one of the the most valuable areas on our coast? We have worked to preserve it's beauty and character and to me, the broader coast is no different........



I consider Senator Gaetz a friend and a man of conviction and integrity whom I respect. I know he has our area's best interest at heart. I sincerely hope after further analysis he will oppose this bill. I suggest every one of us write all our local representatives and Senator Gaetz regarding this important issue. It is clear the powerful Oil Lobby, is going to continue pushing for this Bill.

Dave Rauschkolb

[Dave Rauschkolb]

I suggest we create a delegation of Northwest Florida Resident's to go to this Forum on October 28th.

Dave Rauschkolb


FSU, Gannett to host public forum on drilling
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Capital bureau Print Email to a friend Subscribe
With gas prices and Florida's need for new revenue wearing down public resistance to Gulfcoast oil drilling, a statewide public forum on the controversy is set for late this month.

Florida State University and Gannett Florida are organizing the two-hour event on Oct. 28. A panel of experts on both sides will take questions from a studio audience at FSU, television viewers and citizens watching on Web sites of Gannett newspapers and TV stations across Florida.

ADVERTISEMENT
"We want to bring together in a single place the best thinking by proponents and opponents of lifting the ban on drilling off our shores, and put them in front of the people of Florida," said Bob Gabordi, executive editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. He said the forum will help assure "that the best ideas, not the best politics, win the day."

FSU President T.K. Wetherell invited Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, to take part in the 7-9 p.m. forum. They are the designated presiding officers of the Legislature for the 2011-12 sessions.

Drilling could come up as early as next spring, or even in a special session this year. The House voted to let Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet grant oil leases in Gulf waters, 10 miles from the coast, but the Senate didn't take up the measure.

Since then, business organizations and environmentalist groups have mobilized on both sides for a pitched battle in coming sessions.

"This is the discussion we want to have," Haridopolos said Sunday. "The forum lets us have an open, transparent debate. Let's answer all the questions people have. Just closing our eyes to it is not an option when one out of every 10 Floridians is out of work."

But Eric Draper, policy director for the Florida Audubon Society, said proponents have over-estimated the shift in public opinion as well as the revenue potential of drilling. Despite rising pump prices and severe budgets by state and local governments, Draper said only 20 to 25 percent of Floridians favor wide-open exploration on the Gulf coast.

"There's been a shift, but not a dramatic shift," he said Sunday. "There has been an extraordinary campaign at both the national and state levels by the oil companies, advertising on all the cable news shows, and I think most of it has been targeted toward weakening Florida opposition."

Haridopolos said the Senate didn't act on the House-passed bill last spring because environmentalists hadn't been heard and revenue projections had not been fully tested.

"The political climate has changed, no doubt, and about 75 percent support the idea of drilling," he said. "Dean Cannon and I are committed to having a full discussion on the issue, understanding the risk as well as the rewards that can come from opening up drilling in the Gulf."

In letters to Cannon and Haridopolos, Wetherell said the forum would address questions of beach protection, how much revenue "Florida would realistically expect from energy royalties," how many jobs would be created by drilling and whether Florida's offshore oil can affect the nation's foreign oil dependency "in a significant way."

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Tampa Bay Times

A Times Editorial
Stacking the deck for drilling



Republican Senate President Jeff Atwater, who wants to be Florida's next chief financial officer, ignored a blatant conflict of interest and named a new energy committee chairman whose wife is a lobbyist for the secretive group pushing offshore drilling. That taints the integrity of the Senate's deliberations on drilling.

Atwater tapped Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, one of the Legislature's most politically savvy operators, to oversee the Committee on Communications, Energy and Public Utilities. Diaz de la Portilla's wife, Claudia, has been representing Florida Energy Associates, a shadowy group of Texas oilmen who are trying to usurp two decades of smart, bipartisan Florida policy banning offshore drilling.

Atwater has cast yet another layer of self-dealing into the mix, making it hard to trust his promise that the issue will get an objective vetting. Diaz de la Portilla said he has proven before that he is not beholden to his wife's clients and won't be this time. But his chairmanship gives the appearance of further stacking the deck for the oil drilling group, which has hired dozens of high-profile lobbyists but refuses to identify who is underwriting its campaign. The group already has a pair of powerful Republican acolytes, the anticipated next leaders of both legislative chambers, Rep. Dean Cannon of Winter Park and Sen. Mike Haridopolos of Melbourne, who believe the industry pitch that offshore drilling will somehow save the state's fiscal woes even as it risks destroying tourism. Now Atwater has given it a third insider — and every time Diaz de la Portilla's committee takes up the issue, the chairman's motives will be in question.

Atwater wisely slowed the debate earlier this year when he refused to consider a special session on oil drilling. But with Diaz de la Portilla's appointment, Atwater must assume full responsibility for making sure the Legislature doesn't capitulate to a band of anonymous, cash-carrying out-of-staters who could care less about Florida's tourism businesses and world-renowned beaches. Atwater hopes to move into the CFO job next year. But voters should see how he handles this job first.

[ASH]

count me and my family in the line. You don't hear of people traveling to TX to vacation on the beach for good reason. This must be protected.

[Rita]

count me and my family in the line. You don't hear of people traveling to TX to vacation on the beach for good reason. This must be protected.

.
Right you are! Can we say "tar balls"!

.