 The oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has renewed my resolve to keep drilling far from Florida’s coastline. Drilling too close to shore imperils our economy, environment and security. I am asking President Obama to reconsider the Administration’s latest proposal to bring oil rigs closer to the coast of Florida and to instead uphold the bipartisan Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, which created a 235-mile buffer from our shores.
This disaster in the Gulf of Mexico proves that oil drilling should not be allowed even one mile closer to the west coast of Florida. It is simply not worth the risk, and I will continue working with members of the Florida delegation and the Obama Administration to ensure drilling remains far from our shores.
Read a St. Petersburg Times story in which I talk about the importance of Florida having a unified front on this important issue. Read a National Journal article about the letter I sent President Obama asking him to reconsider his oil drilling proposal in light of the present oil disaster. Additional news articles can be found here. Below you will find more information and resources about this critical issue.
-Kathy Castor
Castor Announces Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Recovery Act
Nov. 22, 2010 - Today, Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced the filing of H.R.6434, the Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Restoration Act of 2010. The Act directs that the bulk of the fines and penalties to be paid by BP for the Deepwater Horizon disaster shall be devoted to the economic and environmental recovery of the Gulf Coast. ... More
Castor statement on Secretary Salazar's deepwater drilling announcement
Oct. 12, 2010 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding Secretary Salazar’s announcement to reopend... More
Gulf Coast Claims to be Considered
Oct. 4, 2010 - This is great news for our hardworking small-business owners and tourism leaders on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Although the Tampa Bay area has had no oil on its beaches, our hotels, restaurants and fishermen have been affected nonetheless. ... More
Castor's Statement on Gulf Coast Restoration Plan
Sep. 28, 2010 - The fines and penalties to be paid by BP for its Deepwater Horizon blowout disaster must be directed to Gulf Coast restoration and recovery, and I will get right to work drafting legislation to implement that proposal as soon as possible. ... More
Read the report
BP Spent $93 Million in Advertising From April-July 2010
Sep. 1, 2010 - In a letter to Congresswoman Kathy Castor today, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Stupak released findings of how much BP has spent on advertising since the oil disaster..." More
Castor's Statement on Environmental Reviews
Aug. 17, 2010 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement regarding President Obama’s decision to no longer allow new deepwater drilling projects to go forward without environmental reviews: "This announcement by the Obama Administration is a good first step. ..." More
Gulf of Mexico Restoration Plan Recommendations
Aug. 13, 2010 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor wrote a letter to Secretary Mabus summarizing concerns and recommendations for Gulf Coast Restoration following the town hall meeting in St. Petersburg. Click here to read the letter
House Approves Oil Disaster Legislation
July 30, 2010 - The oil disaster legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today will hold the oil industry accountable for disaster cleanup, strengthen oversight of the oil drilling industry, restore the Gulf Coast and eliminate the current $75 million limit on what an oil company can be required to pay small businesses and individuals for losses they incur as a result of an oil disaster. ... More
Castor Proposes Measures to Improve Oil Disaster Response
July 29, 2010 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor has proposed four amendments to the oil disaster response package, which is expected to be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. ... More
Castor Steps Up Pressure on BP
July 26, 2010 - Today, Congresswoman Kathy Castor is demanding stronger action be taken by BP in order to alleviate Florida’s damaged tourism, job market and economic recovery and criticizing BP for its extravagant corporate image advertising campaign. ... More
Castor Hails Increased Safety Measures in Blowout Prevention Act
July 15, 2010 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor today helped pass out of her Energy and Commerce Committee the Blowout Prevention Act, which will strengthen regulation and oversight of well design and safety equipment. ... More
 Castor visits Good Day Tampa Bay - Ch. 13
July 12, 2010 - Rep. Castor discusses the governor's call for a special session to constitutionally ban drilling off the coast of Florida in the wake of the spill in the Gulf of Mexico... Watch the video
 Castor appears on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360
June 30, 2010 - Rep. Castor discusses research efforts from the University of South Florida and resistance from BP.
Castor Grills BP CEO Hayward
June 17, 2010 - "BP elevated profits over safety. From the testimony I heard today from Mr. Hayward, I am convinced BP was blinded by profits, much to the detriment of the victims of this disaster ... More; Watch the video
 Castor appears on C-SPAN's Washington Journal
June 17, 2010 - Energy & Commerce Committee Member Rep. Castor talks about the latest developments in the Gulf Oil spill, including how the spill is affecting Florida and the Tampa and Tampa Bay areas in her district, as well as the legal liability facing BP... Watch the video
Castor's Statement Regarding President Obama's Oval Office Address On Oil Disaster
June 15, 2010 - President Obama is rightfully concerned about jobs, small businesses and the harm caused to Florida’s improving economy by BP’s oil disaster. BP must bear full financial responsibility for the economic and environmental impact, not our small businesses or taxpayers. ... More
Florida Universities to Receive $10 Million from BP for Research
June 11, 2010 - Florida university researchers will receive $10 million from BP to fund the ongoing academic research into the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced today. ... More
Castor Testifies Before Committee Regarding Oil Liability; Meets With BP Executives in Her Office
June 9, 2010 - In testimony today before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congresswoman Kathy Castor told members that Florida’s businesses are suffering as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster and urged Congress to eliminate the liability cap on oil companies...More
Castor to Meet with BP Vice President
June 8, 2010 - “USF's findings of deepwater oil plumes are of grave concern to the tourism and fishing industries, which rely on clean beaches and clean water for their livelihoods. We must hold BP accountable for this environmental and economic disaster... More
Castor Statement on President's Oil Remarks
May 27, 2010 - “For all intents and purposes, bringing rigs closer to Florida’s beaches appears to be dead. The Deepwater Horizon disaster has confirmed my position that domestic drilling is too risky a proposition for our economy and our environment... More
 Castor Files Bill to Permanently Prohibit Drilling Off Gulf Coast and Straits of Florida
May 20, 2010 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor re-filed her bill today entitled the Florida Coastal Protection Act, which would prohibit oil drilling, leasing, preleasing and any related activities off the Gulf coast and the Straits of Florida. Castor filed the bill to ban oil drilling and leasing activities permanently...More
Castor Works for More Funding for USF Oil Research
May 17, 2010 - The successful mission of the University of South Florida’s Weatherbird II, and the ongoing gusher, highlight the need for a commitment to long-term monitoring, data gathering and research, Congresswoman Kathy Castor said today. To protect and prepare Florida from the impact of oil in our wa...More
Castor Exacts Pledge from BP to Talk with Florida Officials
May 12, 2010 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor exacted a pledge from BP’s president today that he would work with her and other high-level Florida officials to address the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster on the state and its hard-working residents. Castor is deeply concerned about the repercussions of ...More
Castor Questions Oil Executives About Gulf Disaster
May 4, 2010 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor questioned BP, Transocean and Halliburton executives and engineers today at a closed-door briefing regarding the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf. Castor asked questions about plugging the leaks, safety equipment, the number of rigs BP has in the Gulf and Halliburto...More
New York Times. “Some Lessons From the Oil Spill in the Gulf” By Kathy Castor
May 1, 2010 -
To the Editor:
The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig (front page, April 30) is a stark reminder that drilling for oil too close to Florida’s coastline imperils Florida’s economy, environment and security. This disastrous event should alter the Obama administration’s plan to bring oil rigs closer to Florida’s coastline. ... More
Castor Statement on Oil Drilling
April 30, 2010 - “While I applaud the White House for saying there will be no domestic drilling in new areas until there is an adequate review of what happened in the Deepwater Horizon disaster, we need to go even further. The Administration must completely rethink the latest proposal to bring oil rigs closer to the...More
Castor's Statement on Offshore Drilling Proposal
Mar 31, 2010 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement regarding President Obama’s proposal to study parts of the eastern Gulf for expanded leases: “Drilling for oil off of Florida’s west coast beaches would be a serious threat to Florida’s economy and jobs. Our long-term economic health is... More
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 Sarasota Herald Tribune. “Florida Widens Its Oil Spill Watch” By Dale White
May 4, 2010 "Robert Weisberg, an oceanographer with the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science, is tracking the spill's possible movements. He thinks that the Panhandle, the Florida Keys and the Atlantic coast are at greater risk than Tampa Bay.
Weisberg said the slick could enter the Loop Current about 125 miles west of the Gulf coast. He was reluctant to speculate precisely when, but said it could be in several days.
The Loop Current is a swift current that extends north from the Yucatan into the Gulf, bends south away from the Gulf coast, then straight into the Florida Keys and into the Gulf Stream going up the Atlantic coast..." More
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Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Deepwater Horizon Response Page
Up to date information on response actions and impacts to the state of Florida
To volunteer, call 1-866-448-5816
To report oiled wildlife, call 1-866-557-1401. Messages will be checked hourly.
To report spill related damage, please call 1-800-440-0858
For more information about validated environmental air and water sampling results, visit www.epa.gov/bpspill
To file a claim, call BP's helpline at 1-800-440-0858. For those who have already pursued the BP claims process and are not satisfied with BP's resolution, please call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118.
To submit your vessel as a vessel of opportunity skimming system: (281)366-5511
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