[CPEO-MEF] Opponents trying to remove offshore inventory from energy bill

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Florida
NOLA.COM
Opponents trying to remove offshore inventory from energy bill
By BILL KACZOR
The Associated Press
6/11/03 9:36 PM

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- Opponents Wednesday argued for removing from the
Senate energy bill a proposed inventory of oil and natural gas reserves
they say could lead to lifting bans on drilling off the shores of
Florida and many other coastal states.

The inventory would include a determination if there are any impediments
to developing those resources such as present moratoria on drilling.

"It's very clear the people of Florida don't want it for environmental
reasons but also for business reasons," said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.,
during floor debate in Washington, D.C. He cited fears that offshore
drilling would spoil the state's beaches and the tourism industry they
support.

Nelson also said drilling would hamper the military's use of the Gulf of
Mexico off the Florida Panhandle for weapons testing and training,
including some being moved from the Puerto Rican island of Vieques where
a bombing range has been closed.

Sens. Bob Graham, D-Fla., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., offered an
amendment to strip the inventory from the bill on the Senate floor.
Additional debate and a vote were set for Thursday.

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