WASHINGTON, FEB. 8, 2006 - "I am continuing my work with other members, Governor Bush, and Chairman Pombo of the Resources Committee on a workable plan that would give Florida permanent control over its offshore resources," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "The release today by the Mineral Management Service (MMS), U.S. Interior Department, of its draft 2007-2012 Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leasing plan underscores the importance of this effort. The increasing need to expand domestic production of oil and natural gas will lead to new drilling in the Gulf and other waters. If we fail to act, Florida will continue to rely on the whims of the Administration and Congress, and decisions about drilling off Florida's coast will be made in Washington, not in Tallahassee."
The MMS today issued a five-year leasing plan that would allow companies to drill for oil and natural gas in a portion of what's known as Lease Sale 181, a natural gas-rich area in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The release of this plan is the second of four steps taken to develop the OCS leasing plan. The public now has 60 days to comment after which MMS could revise the plan based on these comments. Presently, Florida's waters are protected from new drilling by a presidential withdrawal that could be reversed at any time by the president, and by the current five-year plan that expires in 2007.
For Further Information Please Contact Paul Flusche at 202-225-5744 or Email.
