Florida’s pass on offshore drilling could cause political problems nationwide
Florida Gov. Rick Scott talked the Trump administration into taking the state off their offshore oil drilling list but it is a move that was not received well in other states. As of now Florida and Republican Gov. Scott, a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump was given a pass on the offshore drilling list to avoid a possible campaign issue if he runs for a spot in the United States Senate as he is expected to this fall against the senior Senator from Florida Bill Nelson a Democrat.
Meanwhile, back in Washington, the phone lines from other Republican and Democratic governors who didn’t get the deal Gov. Scott are not too pleased. As News Talk, Florida reported the Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke agreed to remove Florida’s waters from consideration for offshore drilling.
“I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver,” Zinke said in a statement late Tuesday.
But Twitter blew up as states still on the list want the same deal Florida got from the Trump admiration. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and new Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam took their case to Twitter.
New York doesn’t want drilling off our coast either. Where do we sign up for a waiver @SecretaryZinke? https://t.co/dt1rJAEna1
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 10, 2018
We’d like a word in Virginia. https://t.co/hKumvPMcV4
— Ralph Northam (@RalphNortham) January 10, 2018
Lest you think that only Democrats have a beef with the Trump admiration think again. The soon to be gone New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie along with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, and Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan want no part of offshore drilling in their respective states.
As of right now New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Oregon and Washington have all opposed offshore drilling plans.
According to reporting in The Hill Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift said Zinke is listening to governors, adding that Scott isn’t getting any special favors.
“The secretary has said since day one that he is interested in hearing the local voice,” she said.
“ Gov. Scott requested a meeting the day the plan was released. If other governors would like to request meetings with the secretary, they are absolutely welcome to do so.”
The real question now is will states who want no part of the offshore oil drilling deal sue to get what Florida got. My guess is that state attorney generals on both the East and West coasts are working on those lawsuits now.
