Wrong on Drilling In The Gulf.

In a press release Sen Nelson certainly took some dalliances with the truth. Why politicians continue to think their constituents are mind numb Google deprived boobs is anyone's guess. Well I have google and a little common sense. I wish to challenge Nelson's infomercial for the environmental lobby.

In a letter to almost every newspaper and a supporting editorial by the Pensacola News Journal, Nelson wrote:

“I've had a few questions lately about this idea of Florida getting oil-drilling revenues to help with its sagging budget and, things like schools. If you're swayed by this argument and Big Oil's latest push to put rigs off the tourism state, then you need to know something: Oil money from federal leases cannot be used for that kind of stuff. It can only be used to clean up the mess and damages from drilling.”

It's Nelson's Fault

While what he says is true about the bill currently proposed in congress, it is not true that it can't be changed. The Senate committee voted to repeal the royalty provision causing Democrat Mary Landrieu of Louisiana to join with Republicans and oppose the current drilling bill because DEMOCRATS in the non coastal states prohibited revenue sharing in the states that will be most impacted. Nelson could work hard to secure a royalty sharing provision and protect​ Florida's financial interest. Nelson could then cobble together enough support in a compromise bill to get it passed. So this defense of his opposition to drilling based on funding is worthless rhetoric. He won't even try.

They Will Only Use The Money For Good Things

Nelson continues..“Here's how the law allows royalty money to be used: mitigation of effects from drilling activities through onshore infrastructure projects; associated planning and administrative costs; coastal protection; and mitigation of damage to animals or natural resources.”

Is anyone still so naive as to believe government will not touch that pot of money except for environmental problems? Even if what you say is true..one word. Hurricanes. We have them the money could be used for disaster relief and for beach erosion. Protection of wetlands and all the other pet environmental programs that you love to fund.

“There you have it. No budget windfall.”

Well Sen. Nelson that would be your fault now wouldn't it? You also conveniently omit the creation of supporting oil industry jobs, increased fishing and tourism and less dependence on foreign energy. So get our revenue sharing put back in the bill and we will have a windfall. At least it will be better than a nofall. Which is what you are proposing.

Summary

Nelson Continues..“Fact is, oil money won't build schools, or roads or pay teachers. It'll just "mitigate" (slow down) the oil industry's ruination of the fourth-largest state's economy and environment".....U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson”

Yes is will, it will allow some of the funds we are diverting for conservation. and while we are on the “ruination” issue you know that just isn't true. Right now nature does more damage than man in the Gulf. Drilling may actually reduce seepage by harvesting the gas and oil deposits closest to the ocean floor. Roughly 75% of the 200,000 metric tons of oil seepage into the gulf each year are a natural phenomenon. http://geology.com/nasa/oil-seeps/ but you already knew that, didn't you Senator?