Fla. offshore drilling being debated on Internet

Citizens across the state got a chance Wednesday to question a panel of supporters and opponents of a proposal to open Florida waters to oil and natural gas exploration.

Queries could be submitted by e-mail for responses during an interactive Internet forum. Two emerging legislative leaders, both offshore drilling supporters, also took part.

The evening forum is sponsored by Florida State University, Gannett media company and the Gannett-owned Tallahassee Democrat newspaper. Florida State's WFSU-TV also is televising the discussion on a Tallahassee cable channel and making feeds available to other TV stations.

Drilling advocates, including petroleum industry interests, say drilling in Florida waters that extend three miles into the Atlantic Ocean and 10.35 miles into the Gulf of Mexico would pour billions of dollars into the state's coffers and reduce the nation's reliance on energy imports.

Details of the state proposal, which would require approval by the Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist, have not yet been determined. It would not affect federal waters farther from shore where drilling is banned within 125 miles of Florida's coastline. That prohibition is due to expire in 2022 though some in Congress want to lift it sooner.

Environmentalists and other opponents say the risk of spills and other pollution to the state's beaches and the tourism industry they support are too great in exchange for a relatively small amount of energy. They also say advocates have exaggerated the dollars the state can expect and that it'll be years before any money comes in.

On the pro-drilling side were David Rancourt, a lobbyist for a group called Florida Energy Associates, petroleum consultant Terry Cunningham representing the Florida Grassroots Energy Forum and economist Hank Fishkind, who was commissioned by Rancourt's group to do a financial study of drilling.

The opponents were Audubon of Florida lobbyist and policy director Eric Draper, Pinellas County Commissioner Kenneth Welch and David McLain, director of the environmental group Apalachicola Bay and River Keepers.

Also participating were House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, R-Orlando, and Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic. Each is slated to lead his chamber after next year's election if Republicans retain control.

Cannon earlier this year sponsored a bill that would have allowed drilling as close as three miles from shore. The bill passed in the House but the Senate snubbed it.

Some key senators remain cool to the idea including current President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach.