{"id":67512,"date":"2025-12-02T04:43:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T04:43:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/67512\/"},"modified":"2025-12-02T04:43:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T04:43:13","slug":"guest-commentary-oppose-new-federal-drilling-plan-sanibel-captiva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/67512\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest commentary: Oppose new federal drilling plan – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nThe new plan would also pave the way for new oil development off the coasts of California and Alaska.<\/p>\n

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The Federal Administration\u2019s Department of the Interior recently released the \u201cUnleashing American Offshore Energy\u201d plan that would open Florida\u2019s waters to oil and gas drilling closer to Florida\u2019s coasts than ever before.<\/p>\n

Many of Florida\u2019s elected leaders, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and our federal and state representatives, have issued strong objections to this plan, including proposing legislation to pass a drilling moratorium in federal waters off of Florida\u2019s coast.<\/p>\n

On Nov. 24, the Department of the Interior opened the plan for a 60-day public comment period. Please join the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) in opposing this misguided federal plan to drill in currently protected areas of Florida\u2019s waters.<\/p>\n

TALKING POINTS<\/p>\n

\u2013 The devastation of a potential spill off of Florida\u2019s coast could wreak havoc on our ecosystems, tourism-based economies and quality of life.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Accidents can and do happen! The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) responds to more than 150 oil spills every year. In 2010, the deadly Deepwater Horizon spill resulted in over 3.19 million barrels of oil spilled into the Gulf, with fishing industry losses of $8.7 billion and countless marine animals killed.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Though a portion of the oil was recovered, millions of gallons remain at sea while we are yet to fully understand the impacts of this massive disaster on our country.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Global renewable energy production surpassed coal and gas for the first time this year. Technology and innovation for clean energy alternatives is growing worldwide. Drilling off of Florida is not worth the risk.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Expansion of drilling leases to areas currently protected will impact areas of strategic military importance and are incompatible with existing critical military training and testing exercises in the area.<\/p>\n

\u2013 77% of offshore oil leased acres are not producing, making these new leases unnecessary.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Gulf loop currents could bring any oil spills directly to the coastlines of Southwest Florida, where tourism accounts for $3.5 billion annually in Lee County alone.<\/p>\n

Act now by visiting https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/document\/BOEM-2025-0483-0001<\/a> to leave your comments opposing any new areas off of Florida\u2019s coast to be opened to oil and gas leasing, exploration and drilling.<\/p>\n

Founded in 1967, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation\u2019s mission is to protect and care for Southwest Florida\u2019s coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit sccf.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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