Florida U.S. senators hope to fend off new offshore drilling proposal

Florida U.S. senators hope to fend off new offshore drilling proposal
By William E. Gibson
Washington Bureau Chief
Posted March 15 2007

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mel Martinez introduced a bill Wednesday that would
punish foreign companies and investors who help Cuba drill for oil and
natural gas near the shores of Key West.

Martinez, a Republican, and Sen. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, are trying to
fend off another bill also introduced Wednesday that would allow oil
rigs as close as 45 miles from the Florida coast and ease the U.S.
embargo so that American companies can drill in Cuban waters.

The Florida senators strongly oppose expanded offshore drilling for fear
it would lead to spills that pollute beaches, damage marine life and
jeopardize tourism. They also oppose Cuban drilling because oil riches
would bolster the Fidel Castro government.

To counter the drilling bill, Martinez introduced one of his own that
would deny U.S. travel visas to any foreign person or company who
supports Cuba's oil program. And it would impose unspecified penalties
on anyone who invests more than $1 million to develop Cuban oil and gas
resources.

``This bill sends a clear message that any attempt to develop Cuba's oil
exploration program will be met with strong sanctions,'' Martinez said.
``Supporting the Castro regime in the development of its petroleum is
detrimental to U.S. policy and our national security.''

The exchange of legislation revives an intense debate over offshore
drilling, which appeared to be settled last year with passage of an
energy bill that prohibited drilling within 125 miles of Florida shores.

Sens. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said last year's
energy bill did not do enough to conserve fuel or expand domestic oil
and gas production to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign supplies. The
bill they filed Wednesday calls for tougher fuel-efficiency standards as
well as domestic production closer to shore.

While Congress grapples over energy issues, Cuba has contracted with
companies from Canada, China and other countries to explore for oil
along its north coast near the Straits of Florida. Craig contends that
American companies should be allowed to compete for those contracts,
partly because they are more likely than foreign drillers to use modern
methods that avoid environmental damage.

Craig and Dorgan noted that drilling 45 miles from shore would be out of
sight from land. Florida leaders, however, fear that an oil spill in the
Gulf of Mexico or north of Cuba would flow with the Gulf Stream along
the Florida Keys and up the southeast Florida coast.

The legislative exchange appeared to be opening salvos in a new energy
debate that may take months to resolve.

William E. Gibson can be reached at wgibson@sun-sentinel.com or
202-824-8256.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/cuba/sfl-acubanoil15mar15,0,7385146.story?coll=sfla-news-cuba