Florida congressional leaders denounced a recent White House proposal that suggested weakening offshore oil-drilling regulations. According to Orlando Weekly, both Democrats and Republican members of Florida’s congressional delegation rebuked proposed changes to the 2016 Well Control Rule.
The proposed changes to the 2016 Well Control Rule include 44 altered provisions and 15 deleted well-control regulations.
The American Petroleum Institute said the changes to the rule would make offshore operations safer. The Interior Department also said the proposed changes to the rule are a common-sense approach to reduce unnecessary regulations.
Yet Florida representatives are pointing to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion as a still-fresh example as to why the provisions and regulations need to stay in place.
The Deepwater Horizon fire and explosion killed 11 workers and injured 17. The subsequent offshore oil spill after the sinking of the drilling rig caused not only the largest environmental disaster in U.S. history but also the largest accidental marine oil spill in the world.
“Have we learned nothing from the worst environmental disaster in American history?” said U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan. “These safeguards should remain in place.”
Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican and co-chairman of Florida’s congressional delegation, called the proposal to change the Well Control Rule unacceptable and reckless. He also pointed out that one of the proposed changes to the rule would enable independent inspectors to be uncertified and that the monitoring of offshore oil rigs would be slackened.
“These rules were put in place to prevent another massive oil spill off our coasts,” said U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. Nelson (D-Fla.) accused the Trump administration of turning a blind eye to the nation’s history to help the oil industry.
“We can’t allow this new administration to take us backward in time and, once again, expose Florida’s beautiful beaches and tourism-based economy to such an unnecessary risk,” Nelson said.
The Interior Department submitted the proposed revisions to the Federal Register. Changes to the rule will soon be published after which there will be a 60-day public comment period.
The changes to the 2016 Well Control Rule may spark action from environmental groups. The percentage of civil cases that reach trial in the Federal courts today is only 1%, although many environmental activists have been taking action around the world by bringing pollution to court.
In fact, up to 18 states including California have recently filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to defend climate change rules for vehicles.
Even the fast fashion industry has made moves toward going green. According to Vogue, the average Supreme customer is between the ages of 18 and 25. Millennials in this age group are moving away from fast fashion because of its unsustainable products, causing companies like HandM to move toward recycled and sustainable materials.
Needless to say, the U.S. is making greater movements toward environmental protection. In November, Florida voters can vote whether or not to approve a constitutional amendment to ban nearshore gas and oil drilling.
