By Trimmel Gomes
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-937935.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – In a reversal, the Obama administration says it will not pursue any new drilling in east coast waters including the Gulf of Mexico.
Three weeks before the BP oil spill in April, President Obama announced plans that would have allowed drilling from Delaware to Florida. Governor Charlie Crist, who once supported drilling in state waters, changed his mind after the spill and is now praising the administration's decision to hold off for the next seven years.
"I think it sends a very clear signal that there is an attitude of protecting Florida's beaches and the Gulf Coast, in particular, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico."
Governor Crist says he's not surprised by the decision considering the spill is one of the country's largest environmental disasters.
However, an oil industry spokesman says the drilling ban will cost the United States many jobs and billions of dollars in royalties and taxes. David Mica is with the Florida Petroleum Council.
"It's going to cost us thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs. It's going to make us more reliant on foreign oil and gas."
But environmental groups are praising the decision, saying they are pleased to see the administration making safety and the environment a priority.