Rep. Jim Davis Introduces Permanent Protection for Florida Act

“Florida’s best offense in the battle to preserve our beaches.”  

Español

 

WASHINGTON, DC -  Today, in the House of Representatives, Congressman Jim Davis introduced Senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez’s Permanent Protection for Florida Act, legislation to permanently shield Florida’s coasts from the hazards of offshore oil and gas drilling.  Representatives Alcee L. Hastings, Allen Boyd and Corrine Brown and are cosponsors of the bill.

 

“The oil and gas industry is using every means at their disposal to tap into Florida’s waters,” said Congressman Jim Davis.  “Florida’s Congressional Delegation has had to fight tooth and nail to keep oil and gas rigs off of our shores, but the constant assault is taking its toll.  Last year, drilling proponents scored a victory by passing legislation to conduct an inventory of oil and gas leases off our shores.  We can no longer afford to play defense.”

 

“Florida’s shores are a national treasure – a beloved vacation destination, a critical money-maker for Florida’s tourist economy and a pristine habitat for countless species.  The Permanent Protection for Florida Act offers the best possible plan for protecting this national treasure for future generations.  This bill is Florida’s best offense in the battle to preserve our beaches.  I hope my Florida colleagues will join me in supporting this critical legislation.”

 

The Permanent Protection for Florida Act would prohibit drilling within 260 miles of Tampa Bay and 150 miles of Pensacola and the east coast of Florida.  In addition, the bill would ensure oil and gas companies could no longer stake a claim on our coasts by nullifying existing leases close to our shores through royalty forgiveness on active leases in the central and western Gulf of Mexico.