Nelson calls for state ban on drilling in Florida waters

In a letter today, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson urged Florida Governor Charlie Crist to call for a special legislative session and a constitutional admendment to permanently ban oil drilling in state waters, from three miles to roughly ten miles offshore.

The Senator cited that oil and gas drilling in these waters are currently not allowed under Florida law. But that the scope of the still unfolding crisis in the Gulf of Mexico should prompt all lawmakers to re-examine Big Oil's public relations and safety claims, and to call for a more permanent halt on the industry's push for drilling in state waters.

"Even if offshore drilling could ever be deemed safe enough, there simply isn't enough oil in the eastern Gulf to justify the enormous risks from a blowout, spill or shipping accident to our tourism-driven economy, our beaches and environmental treasures, and the military testing and training operations in the Gulf." Nelson said.

In urging the governor to call state lawmakers into special session to consider a joint resoultion, which needs the support of three-fifths of the membership of each chamber of the legislature to put the issue before voters in the November election. Nelson stated, "common sense tells us we as a country will continue offshore production in the Gulf in areas where drilling currently is permitted. But, we must say no to drilling in new areas off Florida."