Florida Matters: The Push for Drilling - Part 2 (November 13, 2009)

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The Push for Drilling - Part 2

Last week, we focused on oil and natural gas drilling off Florida’s Gulf Coast. We wrap up that conversation by looking in more detail at the potential for new jobs and royalty payments to the state if the moratorium on drilling in state waters is ended. And we talk about the politics of drilling in Florida since this issue is expected to feature prominently in the spring legislative session in Tallahassee.

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Program Schedule

Radio - Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Sunday at 7:30 AM on WUSF 89.7 Friday at 7:00 PM on WSMR 89.1

Radio Guests

Eric DraperPolicy Director for Audubon of Florida

Nick FritschCitizen Advocate and Member of the Offshore Drilling Committee for the Barrier Islands Governmental Council

David MicaExecutive Director of the Florida Petroleum Council

David RancourtLobbyist/Advocate with Southern Strategy Group

Audio extras

Eric Draper, David Mica and Nick Fritsch talk more about the danger of oil spills if drilling is allowed in state-controlled waters. Mica explains some of the advances in drilling technology that he says have made it safer and more environmentally friendly. (9:22)

David Rancourt -- like David Mica -- says a situation like the recent leaking oil rig in Australia wouldn't happen in the United States. He also says the battle over oil drilling is already lost because Cuba is leasing its waters for drilling 45 miles off Florida's coast. (2:44)

Rancourt explains why he supports the Florida Senate's deliberative approach to the question of offshore drilling -- and explains why he thinks state Rep. Dean Cannon has gotten a bad rap on this issue. (4:43)

Rancourt says he doesn't understand why people are so worried about who is part of Florida Energy Associate, the group he represents. (1:43)

Radio: Related Links

American Petroleum Institute

API’s Energy Tomorrow Site

Audubon of Florida

Barrier Islands Governmental Council

Offshore Energy Information - U.S. Minerals Management Service

Protect Florida’s Beaches Anti-Drilling Coalition

U.S. Energy Information Administration - Official Energy Statistics

What’s in a Barrel of Oil? Here’s a Breakdown from ABC News

Watch the Oct. 28 Drilling Forum Hosted by Gannett and WFSU TV (the embedded video is on the right side of the page)

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Florida Matters

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State.