Interior Department Flip-Flops, Now Will Hold Public FL Drilling Hearing

[hatrack]

TALLAHASSEE -- A federal agency developing a plan for oil and natural gas drilling off Florida's shores said Monday that it will hold a public hearing in Tallahassee next month after initially snubbing the state. The Minerals Management Service, part of the Interior Department, last week began holding a series of 13 meetings on its next five-year Outer Continental Shelf leasing program that would include a huge area in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle.

Sens. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and other Florida politicians complained that none of the meetings were scheduled in the state. Most are being held in Alaska with others scheduled in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Virginia. The added Florida meeting is scheduled for April 6.

"I'm glad that MMS has recognized their oversight and scheduled a hearing in the one place that has expressed the most concern about this proposal," Martinez said in a statement. "I am positive that what MMS is going to hear from the people of Florida is that we need to find a way to permanently protect Florida's shores from the continued encroachment of offshore drilling."

Nelson also issued a statementsaying "The administration was wrong to exclude us from the discussion. Florida should have a say in this process." The two senators and 22 of Florida's 25 U.S. House members have gone on the record against an MMS plan to open about 2 million acres called Area 181 that's about 100 miles south of the Panhandle and 200 miles west of Tampa Bay.

EDIT

Well, guess what guys - it's TOO FUCKING LATE. You and your "constituents" are now well on your way to becoming an important part of America's next Energy Sacrifice Area - or "ESA", if you prefer.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Enviro/envENV01031406.htm

[phantom power]

1. Wouldn't it be something if the IT backed off?