Nelson, Rubio want clarity on oil drilling

TALLAHASSEE – Most of Florida’s members of Congress want Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to formally remove Florida from consideration as part of a five-year plan to allow offshore oil drilling along coastal states.

U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson, DOrlando, and Marco Rubio, R-Miami, wrote to Zinke on Wednesday following statements from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management acting director Walter Cruickshank during a congressional hearing last week that Florida would be part of an analysis used to determine areas for energy exploration.

“We write to reiterate our strong opposition to any attempt to open up the eastern Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling,” the letter states.

In all, 22 out of the 27 House members from Florida also signed the letter, among them 11 Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis of Marineland, who is running for governor to replace Gov. Rick Scott, who is termlimited.

Cruickshank’s remarks came 10 days after Zinke met with Scott and announced that Florida would be “taken off the table” and that “we are not drilling in Florida.”

But during a congressional hearing last week, Cruickshank said no formal decision about Florida had been made.

Nelson, facing a possible challenge from Scott for his Senate seat this year, was quick to point out the discrepancy. He called Zinke’s announcement a political stunt meant to help Scott’s chances at beating him in the election.

Scott has said he trusts Zinke to keep his word.

“Secretary Zinke is a man of his word,” Scott told reporters in Miami on Friday. “He’s a Navy SEAL. He promised me that Florida would be off the table, and I believe Florida is off the table.”

The offshore drilling plan has drawn howls of protests from governors on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Some leaders have questioned why Florida would be singled out for an exemption.

grohrer@orlandosentinel .com or 850-222-5564