Debate over offshore drilling incites passions on both sides

The federal agency that leases drilling sites and conducted a hearing was criticized for its organization of the hearing.

TALLAHASSEE – Legislators, environmental advocates and tourism groups on Thursday blasted a plan to allow oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s coast.

But a public hearing at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center also drew pro-industry lobbyists and a handful of residents who argued that oil exploration would help the economy and stave off an energy crisis.

A five-member board from the Minerals Management Service, the federal agency that leases drilling sites, was criticized for its organization of Thursday’s discussion.

Florida was a late addition to the agency’s list of public-hearing locations, coming on the heels of several meetings in Alaska and Gulf Coast cities. Some drilling opponents thought that scheduling the hearing in the state capital instead of a coastal city gave an unfair edge to pro-business groups.

Miami Herald