A leading congressional proponent of offshore drilling is expected to take part in the release next week of a new report promoting further oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, including waters close to Florida.
North Dakota Democrat Byron Dorgan, who last year included a measure aimed at promoting drilling in federal waters 45 miles off Florida, is scheduled to speak in a Tuesday conference call detailing the potential benefit to “military readiness” stemming from more exploration.
Joining Dorgan on the call will be several retired, high-ranking Navy and Marine officers, and John Lehman, former Navy Secretary under President Reagan.
The call is being put together by Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE), a non-profit pro-drilling organization urging national energy independence as a security and jobs-creating measure.
The show of military muscle – even of the retired variety – comes as the House’s effort to lift the state’s 20-year ban on oil-drilling within Florida waters drew further criticism from the commander of the Panhandle’s Eglin Air Force Base.
More on this Oil Rig News story
