The Florida Democratic Party responded to the Trump administration proposal to open the Sunshine State’s coasts to offshore drilling.
President Donald Trump’s administration recently announced a proposal that including offshore drilling risks to Florida’s coasts because of Gulf of America proposed locations.
FDP Chair Nikki Fried issued a statement after the announcement.
“Trump’s proposal to open Florida’s coasts to drilling is a nonstarter,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried. “Our sensitive, pristine natural environments are not up for auction to the highest bidder, no matter what Trump has promised his big oil donors.”
“Florida has a long history of bipartisan support against drilling off our coastlines. Our state’s fragile ecosystem and economy would be irreparably harmed if this proposal were to move forward. We’re just 15 years past the horrific tragedy of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. To open our state up to another such attack on our precious natural resources would be a travesty.”
The Department of the Interior announced a Secretary’s Order titled “Unleashing American Offshore Energy,” directing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to take the necessary steps, in accordance with federal law, to terminate the restrictive Biden 2024–2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program and replace it with a new, expansive 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program by October 2026.
The Department of Interior launched an expansive national offshore leasing program, including risks to Florida’s coasts because of Gulf of America proposed locations.
“I call upon all Floridians who care about our State to demand a full stop to any proposal that would open our Gulf or Atlantic Coasts to drilling,” FDP Chair Nikki Fried said.
Republican Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott led the entire congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump: keep oil drilling off Florida’s coasts. A bipartisan bill to protect Florida’s coastline and prevent offshore oil drilling was introduced in Congress.
Sierra Club Florida also issued a statement on the Trump administration’s proposal for new oil drilling off Florida’s coasts.
