The Trump administration is reversing course on oil drilling off the Florida Coast. Last week, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced plans to open nearly all U.S. waters to oil and gas drilling, but Governor Rick Scott quickly came out against the plan. After a meeting with Scott yesterday, Zinke said Florida has been removed from consideration for any new oil platforms.
Meanwhile, Florida’s Democrat Senator calls this a “political stunt.”
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A decision with significant impact to Florida's future is being called a political stunt by Senator Bill Nelson.
The Trump Administration's decision not to drill for oil on Florida's gulf coast and the Atlantic Ocean, is a reversal from previous statements. The move is fueling speculation that Governor Rick Scott is hoping to run for Senator at the end of this year.
If true he would run against Senator Bill Nelson who released the following statement in part:
"I have spent my entire life fighting to keep oil rigs away from our coasts. This is a political stunt orchestrated by the Trump administration to help Rick Scott who has wanted to drill off Florida's coast his entire career."