Tag: Gov. Scott

Trump Administration Drops Florida From Offshore Drilling Plan

The following article by Hiroko Tabuchi was posted on the New York Times website January 9, 2019:

Gov. Rick Scott of Florida on Tuesday. “My top priority is to ensure that Florida’s natural resources are protected,” he said last week. Credit Hali Tauxe/Tallahassee Democrat, via Associated Press

The Trump administration said Tuesday it had ruled out drilling for oil and gas off the coast of Florida after strong opposition from the state’s Republican governor, Rick Scott.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke moved last week to allow new offshore oil and gas drilling in nearly all United States coastal waters, opening more than a billion acres in the Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico to potential leases. The decision prompted an outcry from Republican and Democratic governors alike on both coasts.

“I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver,” Mr. Zinke said in a statement after meeting Governor Scott in Florida. “I am removing Florida from consideration for any new oil and gas platforms.” Continue reading “Trump Administration Drops Florida From Offshore Drilling Plan”

Florida governor has ignored climate change risks, critics say

The following article by Brady Dennis and Darryl Fears was posted on the Washington Post website September 8, 2017:

Florida Gov. Rick Scott gives an update on Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Doral, Florida. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

TAMPA — Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) has been ubiquitous in recent days as Hurricane Irma bears down on the Sunshine State, warning of deadly winds and storm surges and imploring residents to heed evacuation orders.

“This is a catastrophic storm our state has never seen,” he cautioned at one of many news conferences.

By all accounts, Scott and other officials have aggressively tried to prepare the state and its residents for the destructive storm’s impact and immediate aftermath. Continue reading “Florida governor has ignored climate change risks, critics say”