Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org
Despite assurances from disgraced former Trump Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke that offshore drilling would be off limits in Florida, POLITICO reports that Donald Trump was “upset” by that announcement, and that industry lobbyists have confirmed that “For all intents and purposes, it’s done” -- and drilling in Florida is included in Trump’s upcoming nationwide plan.
Now, it is clear that could cost Trump in 2020. Many Republican politicians, including some of Trump’s biggest supporters in Florida, have opposed offshore drilling off their shores. According to POLITICO, Trump supporter Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), says that if Trump succeeds in pushing offshore drilling in Florida, “He would have a price to pay for that.”
Yoho recognizes that Florida voters are deeply opposed to offshore drilling (64 - 29 percent, according to a March Quinnipiac poll) which could make Trump’s plan politically toxic for him.
Right now, Trump’s plan is on hold until the Senate votes on Trump’s new nominee to lead the Interior Department, who will finalize Trump’s decisions about offshore drilling. That nominee is David Bernhardt, a deeply conflicted oil company lobbyist who has demonstrated a willingness to do anything the industry wants, including drilling off the coast of Florida. Florida’s Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio have gone so far as to seek assurances from Bernhardt that Florida will remain free from oil drilling, but apparently to no avail.
In Response, Sierra Club National Political Director Ariel Hayes Released the Following Statement:
“Drilling the coasts of Florida should be off limits, period. Even some of Trump’s biggest supporters recognize that his reckless insistence on drilling may be as perilous for his future as it is for Florida. This is a toxic reminder that Trump is willing to sacrifice the health and safety of Floridians, along with their tourism and fishing industries, just to help a few politically powerful oil companies make a quick profit.”
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