TALLAHASSEE, Florida the Obama management is a long-term oil drilling ban in the Gulf of Mexico from Florida, after checked before easing maintain BP spill, a senior administration official said the associated press on Wednesday.
Only a month before that had begun in April spill Obama management enable announced in the eastern part of the Gulf as part of the management plan for the outer continental shelf drilling.
"In the face of that BP spill, we have learned a lot and understand the need to increase the safety and environmental standards", said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not yet announced. "We took a second look at the announced plan and modified it remove check in the eastern Gulf of Mexico from leasing."
Planned Interior Secretary Ken Salazar Wednesday afternoon to discuss the decision.
The eastern Gulf - an area extends itself from 125 to 300 miles off the coast of Florida - was singled out for protection of the Congress in 2006 as part of an agreement with Florida legislators, the available 8.3 million acres of oil and gas development in the East Central Gulf made. In this agreement is the protected region for energy development remain taboo until 2022.
But the Administration had the idea of advanced drilling until you talk BP spill that spewed an estimated 172 million gallons of oil into the Gulf. The Administration to ask Congress for the holes lift the moratorium would need to drill more of the eastern Gulf to open.
Florida has long banned drilling in its waters State-controlled - those immediately from its shores, before federal jurisdiction further out gains - by fears that its beaches would a spill damage State biggest tourist draw. But State legislators, including Governor Charlie Crist, were considering open to drill these waters before the spill.
On Wednesday, Crist called the decision "wonderful news"
"This is news conveniently be received by the tourism industry across the State, but also by the people," Crist said.
He also said he is not surprised that that would make BP spill, the Administration, which still overlooking its management plan if you consider it was one of the greatest disasters of the country.
"If this is not a wake-up call, I know would be what," said Crist. "If not, think affect you have, you don't think".
U.S. Republic Kathy Castor, D Florida, who represents the Tampa area, praised the decision.
"The White House learned obvious lessons of BP oil disaster." Drilling for oil from the Florida's coast is poses a threat to Florida's economy, employment and environment. Still suffer our small businesses and hoteliers from the devastation are, left behind by the BP blowout "you said in a press release." "Even before the BP disaster I emphasized the Administration that oil drilling off the West coast of Florida simply the risk value."
Senator Bill Nelson, D Florida, has long fought for drilling bans of the Gulf Florida of of coast of.
"It's good to hear the President of the people of Florida," said Nelson.
Officials for the big oil drill and companies, the service industry immediately to requests for comment by the AP responds.
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