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Changes to Florida Oil Drilling Proposed

By News Service Florida
High Oil Prices Continue To Drive Gas Prices Steadily Upwards CULVER CITY, CA - APRIL 25: Oil rigs extract petroleum as the price of crude oil rises to nearly $120 per barrel, prompting oil companies to reopen numerous wells across the nation that were considered tapped out and unprofitable decades ago when oil sold for one-fifth the price or less, on April 25, 2008 in the Los Angeles area community of Culver City, California. Many of the old unprofitable wells, known as "stripper wells", are located in urban areas where home owners are often outraged by the noise, smell, and possible environmental hazards associated with living so close to renewed oil drilling. Since homeowners usually do not own the mineral rights under their land, oil firms can drill at an angle to go under homes regardless of the desires of residents. Using expensive new technology and drilling techniques, California producers have reversed a long decline of about 5 percent annually with an increased crude flow of about 2 1/2 million barrels in 2007 for the first time in years. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) (David McNew/Getty Images)
By News Service Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Amid a battle over a plan to drill for oil and gas near the Apalachicola River, two North Florida lawmakers filed bills on Wednesday that would set new standards for approving such projects.

Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, and Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, filed the bills (SB 1300 and HB 1143) for consideration during the legislative session that will start Tuesday. The environmental group Apalachicola Riverkeeper is challenging a draft permit that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection approved in April for the Louisiana-based Clearwater Land & Minerals Fla. to drill in an unincorporated part of Calhoun County, which is between Tallahassee and Panama City.

The environmental group contends, among other things, that the project would threaten the Apalachicola River. The challenge is pending at the state Division of Administrative Hearings.

While the bills differ somewhat, they include steps such as setting a new “balancing test” that the Department of Environmental Protection would have to consider when permitting projects within one mile of freshwater rivers, streams, lakes, or coastal shorelines.

“This balancing test should assess the potential impact of an accident or a blowout on the natural resources of such bodies of water and shore areas, including ecological functions and any water quality impacts,” the bills say.

“The balancing test must consider the ecological community’s current condition, hydrologic connection, uniqueness, location, fish and wildlife use, time lag, and the potential costs of restoration.”

This story comes from NEWS SERVICE FLORIDA; the original copy can be found HERE.

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