President Obama and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar are set to announce today at 11 a.m. the opening of coastal waters for offshore drilling at Andrews Air Force base.
The New York Times broke the story overnight. Here's a crucial excerpt:
Drilling there has been strongly opposed by officials from both political parties in Alabama and Florida who fear damage to coastlines, fisheries, popular beaches and wildlife. Interior Department officials said no wells would be allowed within 125 miles of the Florida and Alabama coasts, making them invisible from shore.
The Interior Department and the Pentagon are discussing possible restrictions on oil and gas operations in some areas off Virginia and Florida, home to some of the nation’s biggest Navy and Air Force facilities. States are also likely to claim rights to the revenues from oil and gas deposits within 3 to 12 miles of shore and to some portion of lease proceeds, officials said.
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 6, 2010.