[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           OFF-SHORE DRILLING

  Mr. NELSON of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to express my 
strong opposition to oil and gas exploration off the coast of Florida. 
Specifically, the issue at hand is the sale of Lease Sale 181. I am 
certainly not alone. There are 16 million Floridians who join in this 
opposition. Senator Bob Graham as well, Florida State elected 
officials, certainly the legislature of Florida and most of the Florida 
congressional delegation opposes any drilling in Lease Sale 181.
  Lease Sale 181 may not be included in the current moratorium on lease 
sales off the coast of Florida, but in the hearts of all Floridians it 
is part of the moratorium. Moreover, there has never been a production 
drilling rig actually producing off the coast of Florida because 
Floridians unequivocally oppose offshore drilling because of the threat 
it presents to the State's greatest natural and economic resource: our 
coastal environment.
  Florida's coastal waters provide an irreplaceable link in the life 
cycle of many species, both marine and terrestrial. Florida's beaches, 
fisheries, and wildlife draw millions of tourists each year from around 
the globe, supporting our State's largest industry, tourism. Florida's 
commercial fishing industry relies on these estuaries as nurseries for 
the most commercially harvested fish. Nearly 90 percent of the reef 
fish resources of the Gulf of Mexico are caught on the West Florida 
Shelf and contribute directly to Florida's economy.
  Oil spills would be devastating to Florida's beaches, coastal waters, 
reefs, and fisheries. The chronic pollution and discharges from 
drilling would detrimentally effect the shallow, clean water marine 
communities found on the Florida outer continental shelf. For these 
reasons, I cannot sit back and watch as my State, one of our nation's 
environmental jewels, is degraded.
  I know some may have differing views because other issues or concerns 
consume their constituents; and I respect those views. However, in 
Florida the environment and tourism are of paramount importance. The 
beaches, the abundant fisheries, and the pristine waters make Florida 
what it is today; and the people of Florida want it to stay that way. 
Just as drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would not solve 
the administration's claimed energy crisis, drilling in Lease Sale 181 
will not either. Increased conservation and increased fuel efficiency 
in our cars would do more to meet our country's energy needs than 
drilling in Lease Sale 181. For these reasons, I must adamantly object 
to and vigorously oppose the sale of Lease Sale 181; and I hope the 
rest of this body listens to the pleas of Floridians.
  All of the oil and gas that would come out of this proposed lease 
sale would only give about 2 months worth of energy for the country. 
That is simply not a viable tradeoff for the damage it would do to our 
economy and our environment. We are not willing to make that tradeoff 
in Florida. As a matter of fact, as you talk about drilling in the 
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, isn't it interesting. If you put it 
into the context of all the barrels of oil that are projected to be 
pumped from that wildlife refuge, that energy consumption could be 
replaced if we but increased all new vehicles in their energy 
efficiency by 3 miles per gallon. That puts the crisis in context.
  Conservation is considerably important. The use of research and 
development to produce more energy-efficient appliances, more energy-
efficient automobiles--there is no reason why this country that has the 
technological prowess cannot produce a car that is economical and that 
will get 80 miles per gallon. We have that within our grasp. Think what 
that would do to our energy consumption.
  As a matter of fact, when you look at the uses of energy by this 
Nation, the transportation sector is the sector that consumes most of 
that energy. Just think what future energy-efficient automobiles could 
do for us.
  But that is a subject of larger proportions. Today, I rise on behalf 
of a State that has ecologically pristine beaches and the need to be 
kept just that way. This proposed lease sale for oil and gas drilling 
clearly jeopardizes the future economy and ecology of Florida.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of 
a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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