Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersAugust 17, 2018

Gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine, bouyed to the top of the Democratic heap in the latest poll, is launching a new TV commercial that appears aimed at showdowns with Republicans and U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, rather than his Aug. 28 primary opponents. The new 30-second spot “The Challenge,” launched Friday, appears more focused on Aug. 29 […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2018

The federal government on Friday said it was opening Florida’s Gulf Coast to “oil and gas exploration and development.” A Interior spokesman, however, soon added that the “small slice available (approximately 944,000 acres) … is more than 100 miles offshore Florida.” A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson also said the proposed area is “currently open to […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 19, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott scored a political victory earlier this year, when Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told him Florida would not be subject to offshore oil drilling. Scott asserted that he’d been “clear forever” in his opposition — a point disputed by Democrats, who have painted him as an “election-year environmentalist” who has flip-flopped on the drilling question. Friday […]

Scott PowersJanuary 17, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine is launching a new television commercial throughout Florida today accusing Gov. Rick Scott of denying climate change and vowing that any threat of oil drilling off Florida’s coast “is going to stop” if Levine is elected governor. The 30-second ad “Denial” is backed by a $375,000 broadcast and cable TV […]

Danny McAuliffeJanuary 4, 2018

Audubon Florida announced its legislative priorities on Thursday, but also was happy to see Gov. Rick Scott oppose the U.S. Department of Interior’s possible drilling explorations in the Sunshine State. “We were glad to see Gov. Scott’s response, coming out strongly in opposition to drilling near Florida’s waters,” said Julie Wraithmell, the interim executive director of […]

Phil AmmannJune 4, 2015

U.S. Reps. Gwen Graham and David Jolly introduced bipartisan legislation in Congress on Thursday to extend the prohibition on oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico through 2027. HR 2630, which seeks to amend the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, extends the drilling ban — 125 miles off much of Florida’s Gulf […]

Bruce RitchieApril 27, 2015

A bill that Republicans said would clamp down on oil and gas hydraulic fracturing but some Democrats said would provide a welcome mat for the practice passed the House 82-34 on Monday. HB 1205, one of the most controversial environmental bills of the 2015 Legislative Session, passed the House largely along party lines. The Florida […]

Bruce RitchieApril 25, 2015

The House on Friday teed up a pair of bills dealing with oil and gas hydraulic fracturing after rejecting Democratic amendments to allow cities and counties to ban the practice. Hydraulic fracturing, also called “fracking,” involves pumping sand, water and chemicals underground to extract oil and gas. Environmentalists say the process threatens to contaminate groundwater […]

Bruce RitchieApril 20, 2015

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The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 likely shut the door politically on oil drilling in Florida waters, a Florida State University oceanography professor said Monday on the five-year anniversary of the spill. In April 2010, a Florida House committee led by future House Speaker Dean Cannon was considering draft legislation to allow drilling in state […]

Bruce RitchieApril 2, 2015

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As lobbyist Stephanie Kunkel, representing the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Clean Water Action, approached the podium on Tuesday to speak on a Senate oil and gas fracking bill, there was a murmur through the committee room packed with fracking opponents. “Sellout,” one man muttered before Kunkel started speaking. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and […]

Tag: oil drilling
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Florida State University President Richard McCullough, right, speaks to a mourner after the FSU Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Philip Levine launches new ad that looks beyond primary

Feds announce opening of Florida to offshore oil drilling, but it’s not not as bad as you might think

Rick Scott: Offshore drilling still ‘off the table’

New Philip Levine TV ad focuses on off-shore drilling threat

Audubon happy Rick Scott opposes drilling, releases Session priorities

Gwen Graham, David Jolly lead bipartisan fight to ban oil drilling off Gulf beaches

Fracking regulation bill passes House but records bill stalls

House rejects bill amendments to allow local bans or referendums on fracking

Offshore oil drilling has been off Florida’s table since Deepwater Horizon

Enviro groups that support fracking bills thread the needle