Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart Disappointed in Drilling Amendment

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart Disappointed in Drilling Amendment

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) today expressed his disappointment that an amendment to remove the natural gas moratoria was included in the Interior Appropriations bill. The amendment, introduced by Congressman John Peterson, was passed by a 37-25 bipartisan vote in Committee and would allow drilling as close as three miles off the Atlantic Coast and nine miles off the Gulf Coast.

"Today's vote only emphasized the large bipartisan tide for offshore drilling that Florida is facing," Diaz-Balart said. "I warned about this early on last year and is why I have stressed our need for a permanent, state-controlled ban on drilling around the entire state. With energy costs as they are, the rumbling from last year has now become a constant roar. Still, I am still hopeful that we can get this issue resolved. Floridians should decide what happens in Florida's waters - and the sooner the better."

http://www.house.gov/mariodiaz-balart/news/2006news/051006_petersonamdt.htm