SASC rejects extending O&G moratotrium

WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Donald Trump’s administration is considering opening the waters off Florida’s eastern sector of the Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas exploration, if he’s re-elected in November. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) was not pleased with his colleagues on the Armed Services Committee for voting not to reject his proposal to extend a moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the Gulf Test and Training Range. The SASC rejected Scott’s proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 to extend an existing moratorium on O&G exploration by 25 years. Currently, the O&G moratorium expires on June 30, 2022. The committee did include a Scott-proposed amendment to the Senate’s NDAA version requiring the Pentagon to report on the importance of the Gulf range, a 120,000-square-mile section in the eastern GoM. The range supports a wide range of military testing and training mission; and is overseen by Eglin Air Force Base’s 96th Test Wing. “I’m disappointed my colleagues decided not to include my amendment to extend the moratorium on offshore drilling … but glad” the SASC voted to highlight the “importance” of the Gulf Test Range. Scott also vowed: “This fight is not over.” (Source: 06/11/20) https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2020/06/11/proposal-to-protect-eastern-gulf-from-oil-and-gas-exploration-is-rejected/5344193002/