Florida Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, publicly oppose a Trump administration plan that could permit oil and gas drilling off the state’s Gulf Coast.
Driving the news: The Interior Department proposal, released Thursday, considers new oil leasing in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, an area heavily used for military training and previously protected from energy development for nearly two decades.
- Congress banned drilling in the eastern Gulf nearly 20 years ago, and President Trump extended the moratorium in 2020 after requests from Florida officials.
What they’re saying: Florida’s Republican senators, Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, criticized the proposed plan on social media, insisting the moratorium should remain and that Florida’s coasts must be protected.
- Scott emphasized the importance of safeguarding Florida’s tourism sector, environment, and military training zones from potential oil drilling.
- Moody labeled the proposal “concerning,” urging Congress to permanently ban drilling off Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic shores.
- Moody also stressed the significance of preserving Florida’s natural beauty for residents, visitors, and those whose livelihoods depend on tourism.
