U.S. senator signals intention to block Norton replacement over White House drilling plan

Media release

March 10, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The sudden departure of Interior Secretary Gale Norton Friday gave opponents of drilling off Florida a new opportunity to block White House plans for allowing oil and gas rigs close to the state, according to Sen. Bill Nelson.

Norton was the administration’s biggest advocate for opening the eastern Gulf of Mexico to new oil and gas drilling; and, Nelson said, her resignation will allow him to block her replacement if the nominee also supports drilling closer to Florida.

“I’m going to object to anyone who intends to follow through with Norton’s plan to open vast areas off Florida to oil and gas rigs,” Nelson said today, signaling the White House he’ll place a hold on the nominee to replace Norton. Under Senate rules, it only takes one member’s objection to prevent further consideration of a nominee.

Nelson announced earlier this week that he’s prepared to filibuster any oil drilling proposals that would harm the nation’s military readiness and Florida’s economy and environment, including Energy Committee chairman Sen. Pete Domenici’s bill.

Additional drilling in the eastern Gulf could damage Florida’s unspoiled beaches and threaten the state’s tourism-based economy. Late last year, drilling in the Gulf of Mexico also became a national security issue, with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld declaring oil rigs incompatible with military training missions in the area.

Nelson, along with Florida’s other U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, has successfully fought repeated attempts to expand drilling closer to the state’s shores. They introduced legislation last month to permanently protect Florida from drilling.

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