Senators Scott and Moody have both spoken up against the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s proposed offshore leasing plan to open areas along the Florida coastline to oil drilling. Senator Scott’s letter, signed by other members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation, highlighted the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 and the costs of that disaster. It reasoned that “billions of dollars lost to Florida industries” and “The risks posed by new offshore drilling far outweigh any short-term gains.”

I applaud this action by our Members of Congress and their acknowledgment of the potential risks of offshore drilling to our environment and our economy. Expanding drilling and fossil fuel production threatens the cleanliness of air and water and consequently our health.

Florida has the ability to reverse the importing of outside risky energy and instead create our own using newer technologies like solar and batteries. Our leadership might have a different opinion of newer, cleaner energy. If you think our elected officials should prioritize clean waterways, public health, and affordable energy, please call or write to them so that your opinion can be counted. Visit CCLUSA.org for more information.

Sincerely,