Hands Across the Sand-Join us to stop near shore Oil Drilling In Florida Waters

[jjnole04]

a little morning reading

Our Opinion: Complex issue
Tallahassee Democrat, 10/30/2009
Our Opinion: Complex issue | tallahassee.com | Tallahassee Democrat

A public forum at the studios of 4FSU on Wednesday on whether Florida should lift its long ban on drilling for oil and natural gas off our coastline was good conversation and debate. Thousands of people tuned in on radio, TV and the Internet. Hundreds posted comments on our live interactive blog and still more followed the debate on Twitter.
The point is this: Both sides of this debate have the attention of many Floridians; but every Floridian has a stake in this debate.
Conversations like the debate sponsored by the Tallahassee Democrat, Gannett Florida properties and Florida State University are good, but can only go so far in finding answers to the hundreds of questions presented by our readers and viewers. That can be frustrating to time-starved citizens who want all the answers in one neat setting.
But this issue is too complex for that.
That's why Florida State University has a second local event planned for Monday. FSU will a present a symposium featuring some of the foremost experts and academics on this topic in the world. It will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the University Center Club. Gannett Florida State Editor Paul Flemming, who moderated our debate, will also moderate this event. A complete list of panelists is available at Http://www.ieses.fsu.edu. Online registration is available at FSU Center for Professional Development.
It is also why Gannett Florida newspapers and TV stations are working together to produce a comprehensive-coverage project on this issue scheduled for release at the end of November.
Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, took part in our debate. Despite that, the Legislature isn't going to decide whether to lift the ban on exploration based on any one event. Nor is this issue going to be decided purely based on public opinion polls, and that is good.
Yet all of these things must be considered.
This might be the most important public debate going on in Florida over the last decade. The outcome may affect future Floridians for years to come. If you are not yet tuned in, now is the time. If you have not yet started to do research, now is the time. FSU is doing what an educational institution of higher learning ought to do: providing opportunities for greater public understanding of vital issues.
This much is clear: At some point, the Legislature will take up the issue of whether to lift the ban on drilling off Florida's coast, and whatever lawmakers decide, you will be personally impacted.
We applaud Haridopolos and Cannon for listening, for attempting to become better educated on the issues as seen by citizens. We urge them to continue to stay involved in public events, to keep listening and ultimately to do what is right for Florida and its future.

 

[jjnole04]

Paul Flemming: Two sides are entrenched in oil debate
Tallahassee Democrat, 10/30/2009
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/...mming--Two-sides-are-entrenched-in-oil-debatehttp://www.lobbytools.com/go.cfm?16527491


To drill or not to drill ... is that really the question?
It's a passionate debate, one that's been going on in Florida for decades with an environmentalist ebb and an oil flow. It's now back in the spotlight as the blitzkrieg attack of the spring for the latest proposal to open Florida's Gulf coastal waters to oil and natural gas exploration now gives way to a ground campaign aimed at next spring's legislative session and beyond.
On Wednesday, I moderated a debate between advocates on both sides of the drilling question, with Sen. Mike Haridopolos and Rep. Dean Cannon along for the discussion and "listening" as they propounded their support.
As with so much in American politics, the neutral middle of undecideds seems ever slimmer as those who've made up their minds -- citizens and politicians alike -- fire volleys at each other.
Lines drawn
Wednesday night, there was as much heat as light. An indicator of the ideological divide comes from questions asked. From all around the state, the queries and their tone were instructive.
A reader from Tallahassee asked how oil and gas drilling would delay alternative-fuel developments. A viewer from Tampa asked how we'd be able to develop alternative-energy options without the tantalizing possibility of state revenue from drilling.
One question from Sanibel said a spill in the Timor Sea showed that Australia's beaches were endangered by drilling. Another viewer from Gulf Breeze said Australia was able to extract resources in its waters and maintain its beautiful beaches, so why not Florida?
The same material is used by advocates on both sides to make their separate points. That tells me people are making decisions on ideological grounds, not on the force of facts. Who is undecided on drilling in a seven-mile band that's three miles out in the Gulf of Mexico? Precious few, I suspect.
Who are they?
The group making the big push for the drilling proposal -- Florida Energy Associates -- has spent more than $230,000 hiring a Yankees-level lineup of lobbyists, according to the most recent information, and has also made political contributions of at least $50,000 to Florida Republican and Democratic parties (more given to the controlling GOP).
The reporter-approved modifier for the group is "shadowy, secretive," because the principals putting up the dough have not revealed themselves.
It's a private enterprise, they've not broken any laws and they are within their rights to remain behind the scenes, as far as I know.
But it's a public-relations disaster. On Wednesday, David Rancourt of Southern Strategy Group, the lead lobbying outfit for the group, flat-out refused to put names forward while tantalizing with peripheral information: They're all Americans.
This, of course, only fires up reporters who are further intrigued by information that's withheld. It also makes us wonder about motives. Why, if there were nothing amiss, would you not just say who's bankrolling this operation?
Furthermore, it gives opponents a point of attack that can be easily disarmed by being forthright.
Come out from behind the curtain, wizards of Florida Energy Associates.
Nothing to see here
Is there oil and gas in Florida's waters?
We don't know. There are estimates, but they are exactly that. On Wednesday night, an economist for proponents said if there's nothing out there, so what, what's the cost of allowing exploration, then?
A chief cost would be the near certain end to the existing drilling ban in federal waters off Florida, if the state allowed exploration in its own territorial waters. In 1987, '89, '95 and '98, Florida was able to block federal leases in the Gulf only because of its own ban.
Federal legislation passed in 2006 effectively blocks drilling in the eastern Gulf. But what Congress has done, Congress can undo, and there are plenty of indications that the drilling moratorium is up for a fight to continue to exist.
That's a not insignificant possible impact to lifting Florida's ban.
Wouldn't it be worthwhile to know if Florida Energy Associates would benefit from an end to the ban in federal waters?
# Paul Flemming is the state editor for Gannett's Florida newspapers and floridacapitalnews.com. Contact him at pflemming@gannett.com or 850-671-6550.

 

[jjnole04]

Australia oil spill fuels debate here
Tampa Tribune, 10/30/2009
Australia oil spill fuels debate here

TALLAHASSEE - Aug. 21 was a mess for the oil industry.
That was the day an oil platform off the northern coast of Australia began leaking 300 to 400 barrels of oil a day into the Timor Sea. Reports are that the leak continues, fouling thousands of miles of ocean and threatening marine life.
The spill also poses problems for oil producers trying to persuade Florida's leaders to permit offshore drilling in state waters. Not only did the Australia spill make headlines, it was - and still is - occurring in a part of the world that industry groups had hailed as a hub of safe, high-tech production.
Environmentalists pounced, saying the spill proves modern drilling is unsafe.
The industry contends such events are rare and that opponents are guilty of distortion.
All of which raises the question: Could such an oil leak happen here?
Down Under
Bill Smith, an Indian Shores councilman, drew a bright line on Oct. 21 between the Australia spill and lifting Florida's ban on offshore drilling.
"Remember, that's 150 miles off the coast - not five or 10, as we're talking about," he told a House panel of lawmakers. "Moreover, drilling proponents have described this technology as safe, state-of-the-art, and the same as would be used here."
A week later, Pinellas County Commissioner Kenneth Welch brought up the spill again. "If that had happened off the coast of Florida, our tourism economy would be fatally wounded," Welch said during an energy forum at Florida State University. The Timor Sea oil operation, he said, "is using the same type of new technology that proponents are saying is very safe."
That drew a protest from Terry Cunningham of Lakeland, a 30-year oil industry consultant who told Welch he didn't know what he was talking about. David Rancourt, a lobbyist for an industry group known as Florida Energy Associates, deemed the issue one of misunderstanding.
This year, a pro-drilling coalition that includes Florida Energy Associates produced a brief declaring that "modern energy exploration is environmentally safe" and "new technology is environmentally protective." It also stated that "In Western Australia, visionary leaders are establishing the region as the sub-sea oil and gas capital of the Asia-Pacific, overcoming significant technical challenges through the innovation of undersea oil production technology."
Drilling supporters reportedly made similar statements this summer during public forums across the state. But Ryan Banfill, spokesman for Florida Energy Associates, said those words don't mean what opponents say they mean.
Misrepresented?
Banfill and Cunningham say "visionary technology" refers to sub-sea oil production. The oil platform that sprang a leak near Australia is a permanent above-surface platform - older technology that below-surface production methods would replace, they said.
"Since the Timor Sea leak started, ... opponents have mischaracterized this point," Banfill said via e-mail.
But the report from the drilling coalition also features explanations and illustrations of "jack-up rigs," temporary above-surface rigs used before the below-surface production phase.
It's the same kind of rig that was drilling at the site of the leaking oil platform off Australia.
Both Australia's government and the Thailand-based owner of the oil platform agree that the oil is emanating from the platform - not the rig. Beyond that, details remain sketchy; no one has confirmed the leak's cause.
In an interview, Cunningham said he thinks the spill likely "had something to do with the drilling - I do believe it was the rig."
That's not the point, he said. "The rig is only as good as the people who are on that rig. The root cause will be human error. No doubt in my mind. The people on the rig made the mistake, and that kind of mistake hasn't happened in the U.S. offshore oil industry in over 40 years. You don't have the same work force there that you do here."
But Cunningham had no specific information about the nationality or training of the Timor Sea crew.
Eileen Angelico, chief of public affairs for the U.S. Minerals Management Service, said the regulatory agency had no such details, either.
Florida Energy Associates continues to stress the newer, below-sea production methods the group is proposing for use in Florida's Gulf waters. But not everyone in the industry is ruling out above-sea platforms.
"I don't know," said Dave Mica, executive director for the Florida Petroleum Council. "Offshore near California, some entities have built an islandesque facility - including a waterfall and palm trees - that has everything disguised. Would XYZ community in Florida want something like that as opposed to nothing visible at all?"
In some locations, he said, leaders might accept a horizon dotted by a platform that represents "jobs, revenues, an American product that's going to help me keep the lights on."
Such a platform would have to meet higher standards than the platform leaking near Australia, U.S. regulators say.
Angelico said that kind of uncontrolled oil flow, or "blowout," would be "highly unlikely" in U.S. waters because her agency never would have approved the engineering design of the well leaking off Australia.
It's hard to speculate about what, if any, role the jack-up rig played in the Australia spill, said Kenneth Schaudt, an oceanographer and meteorologist who has done consulting work for the oil industry. Better context, he said, is the rarity of spills overall.
He cited findings by the nonprofit National Academies that platform spills account for 1 percent of petroleum in North America's waters; natural seeps contribute 60 percent.
Eric Draper, lobbyist for the Audubon Society of Florida, was unmoved. "Australia's a relevant issue because (the oil industry) claimed that drilling is now safe," he said. "And now we have the evidence, in Australia, which is a rig that was built only a few years ago. ... It's our job to take their claims and to unravel them, and that's what we're doing."
Reporter Catherine Dolinski can be reached at (850) 222-8382.

 

[Camellia]

Here is a communication to the membership of SWCC , written by Anita Page, who went to Tallahassee this week.
Dear SWCC member,

As you may remember, I attended a hearing in Tallahassee on the issue of allowing oil and gas drilling within 10 miles of our beaches. (and within 3 miles if the commissioners agree) Here is a summary of some of the comments made at that hearing. In addition, there is so much information being developed on this topic that I am setting up a separate database for those members who want to receive all of the info I am receiving and/or researching. If you want to be on that list, please let me know. For everyone else, I will continue to send you highlights.

Synopsis of the Highlights of the Hearing Before the House Energy and Utility Policy Committee on 10/21/09.

Background: Florida holds certain sovereign lands in trust for the people of Florida. Such lands include the submerged lands from the high water mark to approximately 10.3 miles offshore. The Board of Trustees of Internal Improvement Trust Fund administers these public lands. They have the authority to sell or lease them provided any such act in not ?contrary to public welfare?.

There is currently a ban on drilling in State waters as well as a Federal ban on oil and gas drilling within 125 miles of the beach in our area. In April, 2009, the Florida House of Representatives voted to remove the ban in State waters. The Senate refused to take up the bill. Proponents have indicated they will re-introduce the bill in the General legislative session in March, 2010. Initially there was some talk of re-introducing the bill in a Special Session in December but I am not aware of any movement to push the issue so soon.

Synopsis of Speaker Comments:

Secretary of FDEP Michael Sole: Since 1947 and before the ban, 19 wells were drilled in State waters. Out of the 19 only one produced a ?show?, 15 barrels of oil.

He indicated there was some risk to highly sensitive areas such as the coral reefs in the Keys. He said the probability of a major spill from a rig was low. The higher risk is from the transportation element-pipelines, barges, etc.

He said there were competing uses that must be considered. Examples include access to sand for beach restoration, aquaculture, shipping, fisheries, military operations and alternative energy sources such as wind and harnessing ocean currents. He showed a map of the Gulf off Texas and Louisiana showing numerous pipelines crisscrossing the ocean floor.

With regard to the potential impact on the economy, he looked to other State?s experience. Sole pointed out that Alabama?s revenues from oil and gas drilling in State waters are between 50 and 300 million dollars and the State of Texas receives revenues totally approximately 45 million dollars. (Note: Sole did not mention Louisiana revenue from drilling in State waters. I have found one source that indicates its just over 2 billion but I need to confirm the figure.)

He indicated there did not appear to be significant finds in the Big Bend area. The Pensacola area is more promising.

He pointed out that with oil and gas drilling there are also upland shore support facilities that are necessary to support the drilling activity, e.g.,storage, processing, distribution.

There are no known facts in the ?public domain? on exactly how much oil and gas can be produced in State waters.

Following Secretary Sole, both proponents of drilling and those in opposition spoke before the committee. Some of the information differed between presenters as you will see below. There was contradictory information between supporters of drilling and there were challenges to some of the claims relating to spills history, promised revenues, jobs and impact on gas prices. A House researcher was asked to ?truth check? facts presented by speakers.

Pro-drilling speakers presented the following comments:

. There is growing public support.
. Will generate 2.5 billion in revenue to the State
. Tar balls on the beach are naturally occurring and cannot necessarily be attributed to oil and gas production.
. Tar balls are in Texas and Louisiana. Prevailing currents won?t bring them to Florida.
. Will employ 20,000 workers in direct energy jobs, 40,000 jobs overall
. Minimal spill impacts from hurricanes
. Drilling is safe for the environment. Will bury pipelines, use subsea technology
. Human error caused large recent spill in Australia. American drilling industry is safer, better trained.
. Tourism will increase if gas prices are lowered. Drilling will lower prices.
. Amount of potential oil in Florida will not lower gas prices alone
. 3:1 ratio of gas to oil
. 10 people on land to support 1 person offshore
. No blowout in U.S. in 40 years
. Will impact Florida by more than 7 Billion dollars per year.
. Jack up rigs will be used for exploration. The actual production pump will be underwater.
. Affiliated Industries of Florida, a leading proponent of drilling presented a power point. It can be viewed at: Associated Industries of Florida

Anti-drilling speakers presented the following comments:

. Research data by Tampa Bay Chamber showed if there were a spill on the beaches, 36.4% of polled visitors said they would go elsewhere in Florida and 50% said they would vacation outside of Florida.

. Florida Association of Convention and Visitors stated tourism in Florida generated 65.5 billion in revenue and employs one million people. They support exploration more than 30 miles from the coast.

. Several speakers were concerned with drilling in Military Mission Zone. (east of 86 degrees, 41 minutes longitude to Tampa area) Walton, offshore, is in this zone.

. A businesswoman from Indian Rocks Beach who runs a vacation rental business presented information on loss of property values.

. Several speakers focused on the U.S. Minerals Management report on oil spills during recent hurricanes. Presented info on spills from rigs, pipelines, and on-shore storage tanks and refineries.

. Several speakers from Tampa Bay area spoke of their experience from the spill in Tampa Bay involving a tanker and its impact on the community.

. Oil and gas activity results in increase in trash on beaches from rigs, crew boats and supply boats

. Network of pipelines may interfere with acquisition of beach quality sand for beach nourishment. One speaker suggested potential sand sources be identified before this issue went much further.

. Several speakers questioned oil companies revenue claims of 2.5 billion dollars as it exceeds both Texas and Alabama. They pointed out that tourism generates 65.5 billion in revenue and a million jobs to the oil company's unsupported claims of 20 to 40,000 jobs. Questions were raised as to the basis for the figures.

. The massive spill from a blowout in Australia was mentioned several times as it employed the ?safer?, ?state of the art? technology being touted by some oil company representatives. (The Montara platform was built and installed in 2008, and the West Atlas drilling rig, was built in 2007)

. Several speakers focused on the shore facilities and their impact on the community. Oil and gas production requires storage tanks, tanker trucks, docks for crew boats and supply boats, refineries, distribution centers, etc.

. Several speakers said there was insufficient evidence presented as to the quantity of oil expected to be found in State waters and that the beaches were subject to potential damage from exploratory activity which may not produce any results. They cited past dry wells.

. The State is putting a significant revenue engine at risk (tourism) for an undetermined potential source of revenue and the potential for significant environmental and economic damage.

I asked that more public hearings be held and that they be held around the State in affected areas before the bill is re-introduced. I also pointed out the coastal dune lakes as having an ecosystem as rare and valuable as the reefs off the keys.

During my own research I have found the following information:

A blowout is an increased risk in shallower waters. (less than 1,000 feet deep) Deep sea drilling has a reduced risk of a blowout.

Most blowouts from rigs occur during the exploratory drilling.

Much information can be obtained from the MMS website at: Minerals Management Service (MMS)

The Minerals Management Service website documents spills in both oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The pollutants discharged from natural gas wells involve uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons and spills of drilling muds, completion muds, etc. For example, In December of 2008, 33 barrels of zinc bromide and 37 barrels of a weighted blend of calcium chloride and calcium bromide were released into the Gulf of Mexico producing a slick which was 5 miles by 5 miles. While some of the spills resulted from equipment failure, many also involved human error according to the reports. These are the smaller spills. To review the pollution statistics for spills in excess of 50 barrels, including spills in 2009, go to the MMS website and choose ?OCS Related Incidents? in the left hand column.

The MMS accident report reflects pipeline spills due to corrosion, pipes being snagged by ship anchors, storm dislodgement, etc.

In addition to MMS accident reports, pollution data from oil and gas is also available from the EPA website.

The blowout in the Timor Sea off Australia has been pouring oil into the sea for more than 2 months now.

Due to better technology, training and oversight, there are less spills than in the past. The spill response reaction time has also increased to help minimize spill damage. Still, though, the very nature of the industry involves trying to find and then transport a pollutant substance in an ocean environment.

Notwithstanding all precautions and personnel training, equipment failure and human error will occur and hurricanes will impact rigs, pipelines and shore structures. Consequently, there continue to be documented spills in both oil and gas drilling and related activities. As was stated in the hearing more than once by both committee members and speakers, what is involved in a ?risk analysis?. With rigs as close as 3 to 10 miles off the beach, there is a definite risk that pollutants will be discharged into the water. The closeness of such activity to the shore further increases the risk of pollutants getting to the beach.

As was expressed in the hearing, are the potential revenues, whatever the final figure may turn out to be, worth the risk to the State?s tourism industry, the environment, property values, etc.?

The committee will be answering this question.

Both the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and the Walton Chamber of Commerce have passed resolutions against drilling east of the Military Mission Line.

Anita Page
SWCC Executive Director

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Australian Oil Rig Catches Fire

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Australia oil well catches fire

 

[jack S]

Here is another example of an energy company lying to the people, destroying their dream home and lifestyle, and then claiming they are not responsible! This one is on land, in Colorado!! Just a FYI.

Methane Gas in Drinking Water - KRDO.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News, Weather and Sports

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

Wondrous claims about offshore drilling bogus orlando sentinel EDITORIAL | Gulf state

Bradenton.com | 11/01/2009 | Wondrous claims about offshore drilling bogus orlando sentinel EDITORIAL | Gulf states with offshore rigs get paltry royalties

 

[jodiFL]

Here is another example of an energy company lying to the people, destroying their dream home and lifestyle, and then claiming they are not responsible! This one is on land, in Colorado!! Just a FYI.

Methane Gas in Drinking Water - KRDO.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News, Weather and Sports

Yep... been keeping up with that story.... all about the "cleaner" fuel they drill for.

 

[Gidget]

You can count on Gidget and Moondoggie! I LOVE the idea of everyone wearing black shirts!! Was that Jodi's idea? A MUST imo because it is not a natural thing to see - a line of black on white sand with blue sky and water. Please consider that suggestion and post it to the website if you decide to go with it.

I also posted the link on my facebook Jodi.

I have a friend who is a huge envioronmentalist that works at CNN as an anchor (Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell) I wonder if there will be enough people showing up for this to go national? If so, I can send her the details and see if they are interested.

Keep us updated and thanks for all of your hard work.

G

 

[Dave Rauschkolb]

We might very well do black shirts; I have been thinking about that for awhile. I have the design done already. I sent info to CNN already but if you have someone who might want to talk to me have them contact me please. I fully expect this will draw national attention. Thank you for your support. 850-865-1061

Dave

You can count on Gidget and Moondoggie! I LOVE the idea of everyone wearing black shirts!! Was that Jodi's idea? A MUST imo because it is not a natural thing to see - a line of black on white sand with blue sky and water. Please consider that suggestion and post it to the website if you decide to go with it.

I also posted the link on my facebook Jodi.

I have a friend who is a huge envioronmentalist that works at CNN as an anchor (Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell) I wonder if there will be enough people showing up for this to go national? If so, I can send her the details and see if they are interested.

Keep us updated and thanks for all of your hard work.

G