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State Republicans Divided On Drilling

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By CATHERINE DOLINSKI

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 19, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Even if Congress lifts the federal ban on offshore drilling, oil companies might have a hard time persuading Florida's Legislature to allow their rigs along the state's coastline.

Some GOP state lawmakers remain skeptical at best about the idea of drilling, despite the reversal by Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who this week said he would consider it.

Among the opponents: incoming House Speaker Ray Sansom. With gas prices hitting $4 a gallon, Sansom said, he understands why Crist would change his mind to back lifting the federal moratorium on offshore drilling.

But Sansom, R-Destin, said he remains opposed to drilling near Florida's shores. He said he is not sure that drilling will lower gas prices - at least, not any time soon. As House speaker, Sansom said, he would convene a committee to ask the hard questions about potential gains as well as threats to Florida's economy and environment. "What we don't want is to come back 10 years from now and say, 'Why did we move so quickly?'"

He added, "This will be a very, very defining moment for Florida - depending on what position we take."

Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, said offshore drilling would be "a tough sell" for him.

"I'm extremely skeptical; I don't believe that it will change the cost of fuel," Crist said. "Currently, fuel is priced on the open market; the escalating rates, I have been told, are not due to the scarcity of oil, but to demand. Oil drilled off our coast would be a commodity put on the open market; it would sell at the highest price, and it might go overseas to other countries."

In other words, he said, "we may not get any of it - other than the cost of potential problems associated with it."

Republican Rep. Kevin Ambler of Tampa, who sits on the state tourism commission, said he would be "very cautious" about doing anything to jeopardize Florida's beaches.

Ambler raised concerns about allowing nearby states to take a more aggressive, risky approach to offshore drilling that could jeopardize Florida's coastline. "The idea of having a uniform rule is that you have a uniform rule, and therefore you don't have to worry," he said.

The governor got firm backing, however, from Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who said he believes in letting states decide their own fate when it comes to drilling. Fasano said he also supports allowing oil companies to drill in the Gulf. But if oil is to be found off Florida's coast, he said, Florida should somehow share in the economic reward.

Fasano also called for more federal regulation of speculators on oil futures, whom he blamed for driving up the price of gas.

"I believe the federal government should require these speculators to put up a lot more of their own money if they are going to speculate," he said. "Right now, they're putting up virtually nothing, and ultimately it's the consumer who pays the bill at the pump."

However difficult for the state's Republicans, the drilling issue is unifying Democrats in opposition. Former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and all nine Democratic members of Florida's congressional delegation on Wednesday denounced the prospect of allowing drilling off the state's coast.

During an impromptu news conference in Tallahassee, Sink said she was "angry" at turncoats on the issue.

"I am stunned by this turn of opinion from people who have been very strong advocates against oil drilling off our coast," she said, adding, "It's not worth it."

Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached at (850) 222-8382 or cdolinski

@tampatrib.com.

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