Sen. Nelson Calls Decision On Offshore Drilling 'Political Stunt'

TALLAHASSEE, FL - U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Wednesday the decision by the Trump administration to exempt Florida from offshore oil drilling was a "political stunt." The Trump administration announced last week that it would seek to expand offshore drilling, but four days later it decided Florida would not be included in that expansion. Gov. Rick Scott has been given much of the credit for the policy reversal.

Scott, a Republican, is considering a challenge to Nelson, a Democrat, in this year’s Senate race in Florida. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke made the announcement to exempt Florida in a press conference with Scott at the Tallahassee International Airport late Tuesday.

"This political stunt from Secretary Zinke has left us with a lot of unanswered questions. If the administration does in fact have a new offshore drilling plan that takes Florida 'off the table,' the public has a right to see it," Nelson said in a tweet Wednesday.

Zinke said in a statement Tuesday: “As a result of discussion with Governor Scott and his leadership, I am removing Florida from consideration for any new oil and gas platforms.”

Scott announced last week that he opposed the new policy to possibly expand offshore drilling to Florida because it posed a threat to the state's tourism industry. Nelson also said last week that he opposed such a decision.

“I have spent my entire life fighting to keep oil rigs away from our coasts,” Nelson said Tuesday. “But now, suddenly, Secretary Zinke announces plans to drill off Florida’s coast and four days later agrees to ‘take Florida off the table?’ I don’t believe it.”

Governors from other states also have voiced their opposition to the decision.

"Our state's environment has always been top priority for me and that means protecting Florida’s waters from offshore drilling," Scott said Wednesday on his Facebook page.

Caption: Gov. Rick Scott waves as he is introduced to the Senate on the first day of legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)