Rick Scott gets Donald Trump administration to cancel oil drilling plans
Image via AP.

trump_scott

Florida is officially off the table for offshore oil drilling.

U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke made the announcement late Tuesday with Gov. Rick Scott at the Tallahassee International Airport.

“As a result of discussion with Governor Scott and his leadership, I am removing Florida from consideration for any new oil and gas platforms,” Zinke said in a statement issued after the announcement.

Zinke explained that he was directed by President Donald Trump to “rebuild our offshore oil and gas program in a manner that supports our national energy policy and also takes into consideration the local state voice.”

The latter stipulation is how Scott secured a victory.

“I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver,” Zinke said.

But Zinke went further, lauding Scott for his leadership style.

“I have witnessed Governor Scott’s leadership through hurricane season and am working closely with him on Everglades restoration,” Zinke said. “He is a straightforward leader that can be trusted.”

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced last Thursday it would consider the possibility of drilling oil in oceanic waters bordering Florida.

Despite a close relationship with Trump, the governor had immediately opposed the proposition to explore Florida waters for drilling. He was joined by the state’s leaders, including U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio.

Scott initially responded last week saying, “Based on media reports, it is likely that the Department of the Interior will consider Florida as a potential state for offshore oil drilling — which is something I oppose in Florida.” He assured media that he would be meeting with Zinke immediately.

Scott’s statement was met warmly by the White House, hinting toward an amicable resolution between Trump and Scott.

“Our goal certainly isn’t to cross Gov. Scott. We have a great relationship with him. We’re going to continue working with him on a number of issues. Just because we may differ on issues from time to time doesn’t mean we don’t have an incredibly strong relationship. We’ll continue those conversations with him,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said following the original announcement last Thursday.

Scott is expected to run against incumbent Sen. Nelson this year. The two are both trying to make this Florida victory their own.

“I have spent my entire life fighting to keep oil rigs away from our coasts,” Nelson said in a statement responding to the Tuesday announcement. “But now, suddenly, Secretary Zinke announces plans to drill off Florida’s coast and four days later agrees to ‘take Florida off the table.’

Nelson alleged that the Tuesday announcement was a political stunt coordinated between Scott and the White House.

“We shouldn’t be playing politics with the future of Florida,” Nelson added.

That narrative also is being pushed by Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

Tuesday’s news comes on the first day of the Legislative Session. Scott had addressed the Legislature earlier Tuesday in his final State of the State speech.

Danny McAuliffe

Danny is a contributor at floridapolitics.com. He is a graduate of Fordham Law School and Florida State University, where he served as the editor of the FSView & Florida Flambeau. Reach him at [email protected].


3 comments

  • Kim garbett

    January 9, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    So after reversing the policies instituted under Obama, Trump and Scott agree that the Obama policy was actually the best policy. The rest appears to be nothing more than political theater.

  • Kendra

    January 10, 2018 at 2:06 am

    You dupe. Scott didn’t get them to do anything, this was the plan all along to boost Scott’s senate bid. And the whole reason they did it now, before Scott announces, is so Zinke wouldn’t be violating the Hatch Act. It’s going to backfire spectacularly, as it runs afoul of the APA.

  • Jim

    January 11, 2018 at 5:17 pm

    Was it Gov. Scott or Michael Moore threatening to start fracking off the coast of Trumps Mar a Lago resort?

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704




Sign up for Sunburn


Categories