Be part of energy solution

In the worst economy of our lifetime, Florida needs a bold plan to meet our energy needs, grow our economy and protect our environment. That's why we support legislation to end the ban on oil and gas exploration in Florida's Gulf Coast waters and want to clear up some of the emotion-driven misinformation being spread by opponents of the measure.

Increasing domestic production of oil and natural gas is a national priority, not just a state priority. President Obama himself stated, in an Earth Day speech, that, "as we transition to renewable energy, we can and should increase our domestic production of oil and natural gas. We're not going to transform our economy overnight. We still need more oil, we still need more gas. If we've got some here in the United States that we can use, we should find it and do so in an environmentally sustainable way."

The United States is far too dependent on foreign nations for its energy, and increasing domestic production will reduce our vulnerability. The offshore areas owned by the state of Florida hold massive untapped reserves of oil and natural gas. Tapping this natural resource will give our state and our nation an important new domestic source of energy, and it will create thousands of jobs in Florida at a time when many of our people desperately need work.

Conservative estimates by Florida Economist Hank Fishkind show the proposal being considered by the Legislature could generate $31 billion in taxes and royalties over the next 20 years. That's revenue we badly need for public education, environmental protection and other priorities.

With modern technology like ship-based rigs and subsea pumps, oil exploration and production can be done in concert with environmental protection. It's important to remember that since 1980, less than .001 percent of the oil produced in the Gulf of Mexico has spilled - significantly less than the amount of natural seepage in the Gulf. It's also important to know that there were no significant offshore spills resulting from Hurricane Katrina. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the oil that did spill due to the storm came largely from damage to onshore storage facilities and pipelines.

We owe it to the people of our state and nation to explore this potential, and engage in a discussion about offshore drilling with facts, not fear.