How will IoD define Florida?

U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke declared he was “taking Florida off the table” for new offshore oil drilling. Does that mean all of the Sunshine State? Zinke’s announcement offered few details. “Right now, his promise is just empty words,” said U.S. Sen. Nelson (D-Fla.), who has opposed offshore drilling. Does it mean both coasts – Atlantic, Gulf and the Straits of Florida? IoD has months to decide, and could be far from a drilling blockade. Oil and gas (O&G) firms are hoping for wiggle room. IoD’s proposal opened the door for selling drilling rights in a small pocket of the eastern GoM right away and auctions of territory throughout the region after a scheduled ban from drilling ends in 2022. “How will Interior define ‘Florida’?” asked Kevin Book, managing director of Washington-based ClearView Energy Partners LLC. A broad definition would include all three offshore planning areas that surround the state, including the straits. “Until Interior says differently,” claimed National Ocean Industries Association’s president Randall Luthi, “we’re in the middle of an administrative process, and that’s how we’re going to treat it.” IoD will have an opportunity to provide more specifics later in 2018, when it issues a formal proposal for selling offshore oil leases - after a public comment period and environmental assessments. (Source: Bloomberg 01/12/18) In an e-mail to constituents Jan. 12, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla. 1st District) proclaimed “some great news” for Florida after Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced he will no longer pursue plans to drill for oil off the coast of Florida. “I feel confident that drilling will not come to Florida during this presidency,” he wrote. On Jan. 22, Gaetz will host an “Open Gaetz Day” in Cantonment followed by one Jan. 25 in Milton.