Statement on Trump’s expected offshore drilling executive order

Environment Florida

“Instead of risking our coasts, President Trump should pay attention to the thousands of citizens, fishermen, and business owners along our Gulf and Atlantic Coasts and the millions of Americans from Alaska to Maine who have already said no to offshore drilling.” — Jennifer Rubiello, Environment Florida

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Today, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing the Secretary of Interior to revise or initiate a new five year program for oil and gas development on the Outer Continental Shelf. 

Jennifer Rubiello, state director of Environment Florida, issued the following statement:

“Florida’s coasts and oceans are home to stunning wildlife, beautiful beaches and support a robust tourism economy, all things that stand to lose from offshore drilling. The President’s action opens the door to expanded drilling into our public waters, including drilling that could threaten the Eastern Gulf of Mexico – a move that goes against the values a majority of Floridians share: that our oceans and beaches should be preserved, not sold off to the highest bidder.”

“Instead of risking our coasts, President Trump should pay attention to the thousands of citizens, fishermen, and business owners along our Gulf and Atlantic Coasts and the millions of Americans from Alaska to Maine who have already said no to offshore drilling. Today’s action is the wrong decision and we will continue fighting in whatever venue it takes to block proposals to drill off our coasts.”

“Seven years after BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded causing the most massive oil spill in history, businesses, communities, and wildlife here in our Gulf region have yet to fully recover. This order exposes all of our oceans to similar risk of disaster.”

“To make matters worse, we are already experiencing record sea-level rise and extreme weather events fueled by climate change. We must not dig that hole any deeper by opening new areas to more drilling.”

The expected executive order comes just weeks before hundreds will gather on May 20th on Treasure Island and throughout Florida for Hands Across the Sand to oppose drilling off our shores and support clean, renewable energy.