Diaz-Balart Opposes Bipartisan Offshore Drilling Bill
Diaz-Balart Opposes Bipartisan Offshore Drilling Bill
WASHINGTONCongressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) today expressed his grave concern about the bipartisan Peterson-Ambercrombie Outer Continental Shelf Natural Gas Relief Act of 2005 (H.R. 4318). The bill would immediately lift current presidential and congressional prohibitions on natural gas-only leasing in federal waters 20-200 miles from shore.
"The bipartisan Peterson-Ambercrombie bill would immediately allow rigs to start pumping just 20 miles off Florida's coast," Diaz-Balart said. "That is completely unacceptable. I have always strongly supported a permanent drilling ban around the entire state and will continue to work with the rest of the Florida delegation in fighting this disastrous bill.
"Floridians should decide what happens in our waters, not people in Hawaii or Pennsylvania," Diaz-Balart continued. "Unfortunately, as this bipartisan legislation shows, the drumbeat to drill is getting louder. We need a permanent ban that Florida controls."
http://www.house.gov/mariodiaz-balart/news/2005news/111505_drillingbill.htm