Bush opposed to more oil drilling in Gulf

Friday, January 26, 2001

Gov. Jeb Bush has fired off a letter to Washington, telling the new administration headed by his brother to forget about opening up the Gulf of Mexico to more offshore drilling off Florida.

He sent a letter to the U.S. Interior Department, opposing the sale of an oil and gas lease that could allow drilling on nearly 6 million acres in federal waters south of Alabama near the Florida border.

"These are leases that are close to Florida waters and I think it's appropriate for the Florida governor to represent Florida's interests in that regard," Bush said Thursday of his letter.

The federal government sells drilling rights to interested companies. In his letter, Bush pointed out this particular lease sale would be the first in the eastern gulf since 1988.

"I am confident the new administration will recognize the need to protect sensitive natural resources located both offshore, and along Florida's coastline, for the benefit of the entire nation," Bush wrote Tuesday.

It's not clear when the federal government might make a decision on the lease.

Bush's move was applauded by Florida environmentalists, who have for years fiercely fought attempts to place oil rigs off the state's famous beaches.

Mark Ferrulo, who monitors offshore oil drilling for the Florida Public Interest Research Group, said Bush seems "more aggressive on this issue than even the previous administration."