The Obama administration reversed a decision Wednesday and decided not to expand offshore drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Floridians and Governor Charlie Christ hailed the decision which will protect their tourism industry.
The oil industry criticized the decision as a move that will stifle domestic energy production and limit job opportunities. Jack Gerard, president and chief executive of the American Petroleum Institute believes the decision goes against the wishes of those American’s who listed unemployment as their priority when voting in November’s midterm elections. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal believes the decision will make the nation even more dependent on foreign oil.
The administration had previously backed an expansion of offshore drilling with the hope of gaining support for climate change legislation, but the bill met a quick death in the Congress. Some believe the administration’s decision was a political one; Florida is a likely swing state in the 2012 election.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the decision was made in response to the BP spill and a need for more strict regulations, not political agendas. Salazar said the US must “proceed with caution and focus on creating a more stringent regulatory regime.”
Regulation enforcement and enhancement will now be focused on areas where drilling leases have already been approved.
