WASHINGTON (AP) — Florida’s Republican-dominated congressional delegation is urging the Trump administration to drop a plan that would allow new oil drilling for the first time in decades off the state’s coast.
A letter signed by Republican Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody — as well as by all 28 House members from Florida — states that the Interior Department plan threatens the state's booming tourism industry and could disrupt military operations in a critical training area.
“In 2020, you made the right decision to use executive action to extend the moratorium on oil and gas leasing off Florida’s Gulf and east coasts through 2032, recognizing the incredible value Florida’s pristine coasts hold for our economy, environment, and military readiness,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to President Trump.
The letter signifies a rare instance of Florida Republicans pushing back against the president, emphasizing the importance of the state's beaches and coastal waters.
While the letter refrains from criticizing Trump, it does commend his earlier actions during his first term when he imposed a moratorium on drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico following similar bipartisan pushback from Florida lawmakers.
The moratorium received overwhelming bipartisan support, highlighting the unity among Florida's legislators regarding the significance of protecting the state’s coastlines.
“We strongly urge you to uphold your existing moratorium and keep Florida’s coasts off the table for oil and gas leasing. Florida’s economy, environment, and military preparedness depend on this commitment,” they wrote.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced a five-year drilling plan last month, including proposals for new oil drilling off the California and Florida coasts. This plan, labeled by critics as harmful to coastal communities and ecosystems, aligns with Trump's vision for U.S. energy dominance in the global market.
The oil industry is pushing for access to new offshore areas to enhance U.S. energy security and job creation. Drilling in federal waters off Florida has been prohibited since 1995 due to concerns related to potential oil spills.
The drilling proposal has received bipartisan opposition in Florida, with representatives from both sides of the aisle expressing their concerns. Scott proclaimed his pride in leading Florida's entire congressional delegation in appealing to the President to fulfill his commitment to safeguard Florida's coasts from oil drilling.
In response to inquiries, a spokesperson for the Interior Department stated the agency takes all correspondence from Congress seriously, although they do not comment publicly on specific communications.
Interior is currently accepting public comments on the drilling plan through late January, which encompasses a potential 34 offshore lease sales nationwide by 2031. The proposed drilling off Florida would occur at least 100 miles from shore in a newly designated region adjacent to numerous existing wells and platforms.
