Despite a defeat in the U.S. Senate last year of a measure that
would’ve opened drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, two
lawmakers are about to introduce a bill that would allow drilling in a
similarly controversial area in the Gulf of Mexico.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Pete Domenici, R-NM, and
Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, are expected to introduce the legislation, which
would allow drilling in Lease Sale 181, a 6 million-acre area in the Gulf.
Supporters of drilling in the area believe it to contain as much as 7.2
trillion cubic feet of natural gas, Reuters reported.
If approved, the rule would require a no-drilling buffer of 100 miles
between Lease 181 and the western Florida coastline, and would not interfere
with the “Military Mission Line,” an area south of the Florida Panhandle that
was identified in 2005 by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as a crucial area
for military training and operations that should not be disturbed by drilling,
according to Reuters.
Even though it has yet to be introduced, the drilling proposal is
already being met with stiff opposition.
On Wed., Feb. 1, the two U.S. Senators from Florida – Republican Mel
Martinez, and Democrat Bill Nelson – introduced a bill that would prevent
drilling within 260 miles of the state’s western coastline, and within 150
miles of the eastern coast, according to The
Associated Press.
“Florida’s economy and environment, and our country’s military
preparedness are at stake,” Nelson said in a press release. “Our unspoiled
beaches and abundant fisheries make Florida one of the world’s tourism jewels.”
