US Senators from 12 States Seek Offshore Drilling Exemptions like Florida's
. Zinke surprised lawmakers, governors, and industry groups on Tuesday night by announcing that Florida would be removed from the Interior Department's proposal to open up over 90 percent of federal waters to oil and gas leasing. Zinke had met in Tallahasee with Republican Governor Rick Scott who told the Interior chief that drilling puts his state's coastal tourism economy at risk. Scott is widely expected to challenge Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. The White House dismissed suggestions that Florida's exemption was a political favor to Scott. "I am not aware of any political
After Florida, more States Press US for Offshore Drilling Exemptions
Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how the department would address the requests. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke had announced late Tuesday that he was removing Florida state waters from the proposed offshore drilling plan at the request of Governor Rick Scott, who argued that drilling poses a threat to Florida's tourism. In the announcement, Zinke called Scott, a fellow Republican, a "straightforward leader that can be trusted." Sierra Weaver, a lawyer for the Southern Environmental Law Center, said Zinke’s move was
Trump Aims to Open Nearly All US Offshore to Oil Drilling
; Oceans to Oil Fields But lawmakers from both parties, environmental groups, governors and local business leaders said they were opposed to any effort to open coastlines to drilling rigs, citing environmental risks and threats to lucrative tourism industries. Florida Republican Governor Rick Scott said he is aggressively fighting to plan. "I have already asked to immediately meet with Secretary Zinke to discuss the concerns I have with this plan and the crucial need to remove Florida from consideration," he said. Environmental groups described the plan as dangerous. &ldquo
Tropical Storm Erika Heads for Florida
Republic, Erika was no longer forecast to make U.S. landfall as a hurricane. It could still smack the Miami area with sustained winds of 60 miles per hour (97 kph) on Monday, however, before sweeping northward up the Florida peninsula, affecting Orlando's popular theme parks. Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency on Friday ahead of Erika, noting the storm could travel "up the spine of Florida" from Sunday into next week. On Thursday, Scott said 8,000 National Guard were ready to mobilize, and communications had been tested in anticipation of a weekend landfall
Teledyne Opens Technology Development Center
Technology Development Center in Daytona Beach. The Technology Development Center is a high-tech research and new product development center to bring forward engineered solutions to complex technical challenges, primarily for the offshore oil and gas production and exploration industries. The Honorable Rick Scott, Governor of Florida, provided opening remarks for the building, along with Dr. Robert Mehrabian, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, and other industry executives. This new center is expected to add over 100 new jobs to the local community. The
February 2024
