Thomas Foley: “I certainly understand the politics of petroleum. But I represent Florida, and I represent the coast that we consider a…”

“I certainly understand the politics of petroleum. But I represent Florida, and I represent the coast that we consider a valuable resource for tourism, the environment, the ecology. Let me remind my colleagues the area that they are proposing to drill both oil and natural gas wells has recently been referred to as Hurricane Alley. The gulf coast, we all know now, after Katrina, is responsible for 25 percent of U.S. production of natural gas. Following Katrina and Rita, almost 75 percent of the natural gas production in the gulf was shut down and not producing. As of May 3, almost 13 percent of natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico was still offline 9 months later. So it begs the question, why would you put more rigs in a vulnerable place? Now, I understand some States like drilling, like oil and like offshore rigs. And my question, or my statement, to you is, have at it. But I do want to have the opportunity as a Floridian to defend ourselves from having oil drilling rigs off our coastline. Several Governors are opposed to the provisions, including Governor Schwarzenegger; my own Governor Bush who sent a letter to the Speaker just yesterday; Governor Mark Sanford, our former colleague from South Carolina; Democrat Governor Corzine of New Jersey; Mike Easley of North Carolina; and Ted Kulongoski of Oregon. Our delegation remains strongly opposed to drilling for oil and gas in this very, very vulnerable area.…”