ALLOWS FLORIDA AND OTHER STATES TO PREVENT ANY NEW DRILLING WITHIN 100 MILES OF THEIR COASTS

Washington, Jun 29, 2006 - "I join most Floridians in opposing oil and gas drilling in our pristine waters," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala).  "Although the moratoria protecting Florida's coasts soon will expire, thus opening our waters to new drilling, this legislation offers Florida the ability to prevent new drilling in its waters.  I joined in defeating a recent effort to open Florida's coasts, and those of other states, to new drilling within three miles, but that vote was too close.  New drilling is inevitable, the question is - will Florida control its own waters? - this legislation gives us that protection."

The House today approved H.R. 4761, the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act. The bill gives decision-making power to the states, allowing them to choose whether or not to allow exploration off their coasts.  Specifically, the bill gives states permanent authority to prohibit energy production within 100 miles of their coastline, while allowing the United States to authorize energy exploration more than 100 miles off states' coastlines.  The bill prohibits any production within 50 miles of shore but gives states authority to allow energy production between 50 and 100 miles off their shores.  Stearns joined in offering an amendment extending state control out to 125 miles, but it was defeated.