The Shark Tank: Oil Exploration Bill Hits the Skids in the “Most Conservative” Legislature

[Patricia M. McBride]

Apparently, this bill was not all it could be, but for those of us who didn't know they were actually discussing this, it is a revelation.  Governor Scott does not seem to be in favor of the process which I would agree must not be convuluted.  Another issue to consider and perhaps weigh in with state legislature about.

 

February 22, 2012

by Lone Shark

Senate Bill 1158 sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers is a seemingly common sense legislative measure that would permit private energy exploration companies to enter into joint venture agreements with Florida’s state land management agencies in efforts to explore state lands for oil and gas. Unfortunately, a combination of bureaucratic inertia, perceived conflicts of interest, and fear of media demagoguery seems to be derailing the prospects that this bill will ever get to Governor Rick Scott’s desk.

The area under consideration for exploration resides in the Blackwater River State Forest that resides just east of Pensacola and extends northward into Alabama. Fairways Exploration and Production LLC is an oil exploration and development company that is looking to ink an agreement with the state that would not only permit them to explore, drill and produce oil, but would also grant them virtual exclusivity to explore the territory and lock out possible competitors.

Governor Scott’s office is understandably raising concerns about the fact that the measure would create two different channels for the approval of agreements with energy companies for such projects- one that would go through land management agencies and the Department of Environmental Protection, the other which would be under the authority of his own Cabinet. This convoluted approval process for exploration efforts would no doubt create conflicts, but it’s in the interests of the people that this administrative issue be addressed and resolved quickly. If this dilemma becomes one of those intractable disputes between the legislative and executive branches as to who has proper authority over such matters, it will only wind up hurting Floridians by stalling economic development and job creation- not to mention it becoming another embarrassment that casts doubt on our nation’s ability to marshal the energy resources that exist right under our feet.

READ MORE HERE:  http://shark-tank.net/2012/02/22/oil-exploration-bill-hits-the-skid...