The oil spill and loss of life in the Gulf of Mexico is a very serious matter that requires thorough investigation and oversight.  We must insure that government does not allow this to happen again.  Protective measures must be adopted to prevent this type of exploration or drilling from taking place in the future.  

The Transportation Committee on which I serve oversees the U.S. Coast Guard, which has been both the first responder and agency in charge.  

Recently, hearings have revealed serious errors by both government and the firm responsible for the Deepwater Horizon accident.  The Obama Administration received a request to drill from BP in March of 2009.  That plan was approved by the Department of Interior on April 6, 2009.  The permit issued failed to include adequate safety measures or backup requirements and was approved carte blanche in just several weeks.

Our committee also found that the Administration proposed cutting the U.S. Coast Guard personnel by 1100 positions and mothballing ships, helicopters, and other resources.  Not only was the Coast Guard Budget proposed to be slashed prior to the spill, but significant cuts were recommended in the Department of Interior Minerals Management Agency that reviews and grants drilling permits.

While I have always been a strong advocate for energy independence my position on halting drilling has been based on science and sound principles.  First, we need a short term policy to sustain our energy through domestic production of natural gas, and other environmentally positive alternative fuels and sources.

In the long term our reliance on fossil fuels must end and renewable sources of energy must be employed.

In regard to drilling, I supported more than two decades ago a 100 miles ban for oil rigs off the Florida coast.  As technology has changed and Florida and other states were converting to cleaner natural gas from coal and oil, I supported additional use and access where safe exploration could take place and the use of this cleaner fossil fuel.  Even when additional oil drilling was proposed in 2001 I said yes to natural gas and no to oil drilling close to Florida’s shores.

Furthermore I have refused to play politics with various proposals to extend the Florida Ban on drilling from 100 miles to various distances, i.e. 125 or 150 miles.  Rather, I have always insisted permits should be based on safety, currents, depths and sound technology.

The BP accident occurred 45 miles off the Louisiana’s Coast at a depth of 5,000 feet.  The permit that was issued allowed drilling without sufficient protections.

Oil and drilling companies must be held fully accountable. So should federal agencies. In the future, adequate protections and proven technology that works must insure safety in drilling prior to issuing deep water and all permits.