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

Dave Rauschkolb avatar
Dave RauschkolbBeach FanaticLocked
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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.’”

Edited

Replies

338
Franny avatar
FrannyBeach Fanatic
#227
Noon CST! :wave:

I believe I read that the time has changed to 1pm, fyi.
Jdarg avatar
JdargSoWal Expert
#228
I think I should show up to this meeting and just see how many big V-8 sports cars, convertibles, and S.U.V.'s are in the parking lot.
I mean really, this is as important to the fragile eco system as anything else. But you don't
see people giving up there status symbols for the cause now do you???
WHAT??? me give up my BMW Convertible ????? Nooooooo
Please

Oh, and also lets not forget a parking lot for all those golf carts............

Hopefully the meeting attendees will bring better attitudes than yours to this important gathering. I am sure many SUV drivers are like me- bought them when there was little discussion and education about energy conservation, and an huge emphasis on having lots of room to safely haul around kids, their friends, the dogs, and the gear. I still have the kids, the friends, the dogs, the gear, and a car that is almost paid off. When it is time to buy the next car, there are better choices available than when we car shopped five years ago. As far as status symbols go, I wouldn't know about those, since we are not status symbol people.

We need to work together to protect our beach, and getting all snarky about the cars driven by the people attending this meeting is not helpful. Local businesses should be thankful for every single local and visitor who attend this meeting and the Hands Across the Sand event, no matter what car they drive, to learn how too protect our tourism economy by protecting our beach- and in turn making sure you and other local restaurants and businesses can stay in business.

Edited

Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#229
I've thought about this electric vehicle thing a bit, and since most of that electric power comes from coal, which supposedly is much worse on our environment than oil, I think the real answer is renewable energy sources, more efficient engine technology, less need for power (horsepower). There is no reason why a Honda Accord needs to have more than 200 hp. Convert that horsepower into more efficiency and bam, we make a dent in our energy consumption. The first Honda Accord(1979) sedan had 72 hp, and sold well because of its moderate size and fuel economy. The 2010 entry level Accord has 268 hp. By reducing that down to 180, we could improve the efficiency greatly, with no harm to the consumer, and great benefit to the environment. Each year, they add more horsepower and keep the miles per gallon pretty close to the same as the smaller hp engine. Instead, they should work on keeping the horsepower the same, and increasing the efficiency.

Some people may require more horsepower, such as a person who hauls a big work trailer, but they don't necessarily need all of the horsepower all of the time, so money spent on improving new technology to switch the V8 to a V4 on the fly, could also conserve.

Just my quick spill. (Did I say spill? as in oil spill?)
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
#230
I think NOLA brings up a good point in that each of our choices (like the MPG of our vehicles and how many we own and the settings of our thermostats and how many bottles of water we drink) are a big part of what is driving the push for drilling here.

But just become someone has an SUV doesn't mean they are doing more damage to the environment or consuming more oil (it's in freaking everything) than someone who thinks they are "green" because they drive a smaller vehicle.

Edited

Jdarg avatar
JdargSoWal Expert
#231
I think NOLA brings up a good point in that each of our choices (like the MPG of our vehicles and the settings of our thermostats and how many bottles of water we drink) are a big part of what is driving the push for drilling here.

Yes, but there are less divisive ways to bring up those points- pointing fingers at people trying to make a difference is unproductive. I think the people that are interested in this issue aren't the same people who are the "eff you I will drive my gaz guzzling behemoth because it's my right no matter what and screw everyone else" crowd.
scooterbug44 avatar
scooterbug44SoWal Expert
#232
You replied so fast you missed my edit! :wave:
Jdarg avatar
JdargSoWal Expert
#233
You replied so fast you missed my edit! :wave:

Well..I know what you mean, but it doesn't change my reply.

I just hope everyone attends this meeting to gain an understanding of the impact that offshore drilling would have on our tourism economy here (precarious at best) and our natural beauty and way of life. Mistakes have been made in the past, however, that does not mean that future mistakes have to be made!
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
#234
I believe I read that the time has changed to 1pm, fyi.

hopefully we will get clarification of time closer to the event, but this is what the website currently says:
What To Do On…
February 13, 2010

STEP 1 Go to the beach at 1:00 PM Eastern/12:00 PM Central Time for one hour, rain or shine.

STEP 2 At 1:30 PM EST/12:30 PM CST, hold hands forming lines in the sand against oil drilling in our coastal waters.

STEP 3 Leave only your footprints.

Tips of the Day…


  1. Use only approved beach accesses and parking.
  2. Create as long a line or as many lines as you wish.
  3. Be courteous and respectful to those who disagree with your view.
  4. …enjoy yourself, it's the beach!
Andy A avatar
Andy ABeach Fanatic
#235
May I make a suggestion for those needing parking to attend "Hands Across The Sand". We will open our parking lot for people to park and use our access to the beach as our guests for the period of the event. It is Sea Bluff on 30A. I further suggest that private owners or condominium owners who believe in this project do the same thing in their areas. Just a thought since beach access parking is so limited.
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
#236
Yes, but there are less divisive ways to bring up those points- pointing fingers at people trying to make a difference is unproductive. I think the people that are interested in this issue aren't the same people who are the "eff you I will drive my gaz guzzling behemoth because it's my right no matter what and screw everyone else" crowd.

very good points jdarg. I would like to add that more and more people in our community are very much concerned about their next car being more fuel efficient. I know of very few who do not share that concern who have already made the switch to a more efficient vehicle, or who plan to as soon as feasible.

yes, we do have many visitors from the big cities who drive their huge family SUVs down - I mean, we can barely maneuver around them in the little roads in Seaside, etc. and yes - many locals still drive big SUVs and/or beach trucks. STILL, most of us make every effort to conserve, and will continue to do so whenever and however we can. everyone is in this thing together. we all have to watch our consumption for several reasons - including environmental and financial. We have a need to protect our environment as well as our wallets.

further, I have seen at least a dozen personal friends, not to mention a ton of family members in other cities, turn in their gas hogs for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles - over the last several years! my aunt drives a smart car and its really neat. not sure if I want one that small - but maybe - we kind of have to revise our thinking when it comes to transportation modes, vehicles, etc. and we are doing so.

Edited

Smiling JOe avatar
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert
#237
Someone else mentioned it, but oil is the source for most things plastic. I wonder how many people understand that oil is used to make all of the plastic in their homes. Some people will burn more oil in their cars, while other people will jack up their heater in the winter, and blast the a/c on high during the summer, but maybe drive a Prius to balance out their impact. The observation of one's type of auto doesn't tell us much about people's total impact.
robertsondaviesBeach Fanatic
#238
I've thought about this electric vehicle thing a bit, and since most of that electric power comes from coal,

SJ, you're right about Florida and it is a complex issue that needs to be fully considered, and studied carefully, etc. Probably not too complex to do a carbon or Co2 calculation based on a mile driven in an LSV vs. a typical SUV, and then back out the 30% of Florida electricity that is coal fired (FLORIDA IS AWFUL in this regard, damn near leads the nation). Place your bets. My bet is that the Co2 and Carbon footprint is damn incredibly (3x) better with an LSV vs. an average vehicle in Walton County, controlling for the carbon output of the average KW of Florida electricity. Harder to control for is the issue of having a 2nd LSV, essentially for fun, and eventually to throw away (or recycle?), and that's what makes me almost neutral on the whole issue - but not quite.
In practical terms, you're absolutely right that what we all REALLY need are basically 100 Horsepower vehicles, give or take 20%. Not 270 horsepower Accords, supplemented by a coal fired LSV.


If I come across any evidence or studies of the carbon output per passenger mile of an LSV, vs. average normally aspirated cars/truck/suvs, I'll share with the group. Likewise if anyone sees that, please share with me, I'd like to learn rather than guess.
robertsondaviesBeach Fanatic
#239
Someone else mentioned it, but oil is the source for most things plastic. I wonder how many people understand that oil is used to make all of the plastic in their homes. Some people will burn more oil in their cars, while other people will jack up their heater in the winter, and blast the a/c on high during the summer, but maybe drive a Prius to balance out their impact. The observation of one's type of auto doesn't tell us much about people's total impact.


Tru Dat.
Jdarg avatar
JdargSoWal Expert
#240
SJ, you're right about Florida and it is a complex issue that needs to be fully considered, and studied carefully, etc. Probably not too complex to do a carbon or Co2 calculation based on a mile driven in an LSV vs. a typical SUV, and then back out the 30% of Florida electricity that is coal fired (FLORIDA IS AWFUL in this regard, damn near leads the nation). Place your bets. My bet is that the Co2 and Carbon footprint is damn incredibly (3x) better with an LSV vs. an average vehicle in Walton County, controlling for the carbon output of the average KW of Florida electricity. Harder to control for is the issue of having a 2nd LSV, essentially for fun, and eventually to throw away (or recycle?), and that's what makes me almost neutral on the whole issue - but not quite.
In practical terms, you're absolutely right that what we all REALLY need are basically 100 Horsepower vehicles, give or take 20%. Not 270 horsepower Accords, supplemented by a coal fired LSV.


If I come across any evidence or studies of the carbon output per passenger mile of an LSV, vs. average normally aspirated cars/truck/suvs, I'll share with the group. Likewise if anyone sees that, please share with me, I'd like to learn rather than guess.

I get that the LSVs are maybe better for the environment, but I oppose them on safety and traffic issue reasons, so for this argument, I am not considering them.

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