Crist repeats his support for oil drilling off Florida coasts

Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday that he "probably would weigh in" on legislation pending before Congress that would allow for oil drilling within 45 miles of Florida's coasts. Story here.

"There's an opportunity to find a middle ground if done appropriately that is safe, that is clean if done right,'' he said. "I'm open to reviewing what those opportunities might be.''

But Crist, the U.S. senate candidate,  refrained from being specific about how he would define the allowable distance from shore. "I've always said it needs to be far enough, clean enough and safe enough to protect Florida's beautiful beaches,'' he said. "I also am cognizant of the fact that it sure would be nice to be energy independent. That's a growing concern of an awful lot of people including myself."

Crist suggested that while Florida should have a say in whether drilling will be allowed off the coast, the authority could come from the Congressional delegation. "Members of our delegation should not be dismissed,'' he said. "I think a combination would be the most prudent approach...Congress certainly has an interest as well, as it relates to national energy independence.

"Florida is kind of unique we have this tourist industry that's awfully important to Florida and I want to make sure whatever we might do as it relates to additional exploration for energy, that it is done in a responsible, safe and clean way.''

Comments

[CRIST=SPECTER]

What an inconsistent, poll-driven flip-flopper this Chuckles the Clown is.

The only funny thing in this is seeing how the envirofools were taken out for a ride by this political shyster who fancied himself "green."

Just goes to show that this disgrace of a career politician will throw anyone or any issue under the bus the instant it politically suits him.

[Independent]

"Litmus-Test Charlie" at it again! What is clean Charlie, What is safe? You never take a position on anything and have no moral stance whatsoever. "I'm an environmentalist," "I'm pro-development,"
"Do you want me to be a circus monkey, ok I'm a circus monkey!"

[peggy arvanitas]

Crist, once again is Jeb Lite. From the DEP Castille slush email account in 2005-6, Jeb Bush emails Castille about her US Congress appearance and the conversation with a Rep about Florida's no drill opinion.
IN THE REPORT from Castille's 2006 statement before Congress, Jeb Bush and DEP supported an OPT-OUT of the moratorium if the adjoining state agreed to drill also.
PUTNAM and MACK, two house reps were aware of this , as the emails show the discourse about this subject.
DO NOT act shocked that "Jeb Lite" now has a pro drill opinion on the table. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE. From my Sunshine Law record request, mining in the Everglades' area was also agreed by Mike Sole and Castille by a Palm Beach county staff paper sent to them in 2006.
Dont act suprised. You need to do record requests and read like me!