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WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) today joined his colleagues in the Florida delegation to express their outrage and concern over the Peterson/Abercrombie amendment that would lift the presidential and congressional moratoria on natural gas production along Florida's Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Peterson/Abercrombie amendment was included in the National Energy Supply Diversification and Disruption Prevention Act, which was passed by the House Resources Committee yesterday.
"Drilling off our coasts would have very damaging consequences for our beaches, our marine life and its habitat, and the broader environment," said Congressman Boyd. "Additionally, offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico poses a risk to our nation's military readiness by placing severe restrictions on the ability of the Air Force and the Navy to train in airspace zones and naval zones in the gulf. Most Floridians understand that drilling in spectacular natural places is a dangerous and unwise practice, and I stand by this belief."
The Peterson/Abercrombie amendment would immediately end the 25-year bipartisan congressional OCS moratorium nationwide and open waters off Florida's coast to natural gas production. Congressman Boyd joins other members of the Florida delegation in sending a letter to the Chairman of the House Resources Committee, Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA), expressing their grave concerns with the Peterson/Abercrombie amendment.
"Floridians should feel confident that no oil rig or gas pipeline is sited off our shores without our consent," Boyd stated. "The people of Florida are steadfast in their desire to maintain the offshore drilling moratorium. The Peterson/Abercrombie amendment directly contradicts with the widespread belief that drilling off our coastlines would be devastating for Florida, and I will work with my colleagues in Congress to make sure that this amendment is not included in the energy bill."
Cong. Boyd speaks against drilling off the coast of Florida with other members of the Florida Delegation
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