Cathy Landry | 202-682-8122 | landryc@api.org
WASHINGTON, April 28, 2009 - American Petroleum Institute President Jack Gerard today issued the following statement on the Florida House’s overwhelming passage of a bill to authorize oil and natural gas development in Florida state waters:
“Florida’s House of Representatives - like the majority of Americans - recognizes that domestic oil and natural gas development is necessary to preserve and create jobs, generate revenues for cash-strapped state and local governments and bolster America’s energy security. It also recognizes the nation’s oil and gas industry uses state-of-the art technology and strict operating practices to ensure that any development would be done in a way that protects both the environment and state’s vital tourism industry. We hope that the state’s Governor and its Senate can see the wisdom in the House proposal, and re-open the door to offshore oil and gas development that would benefit not only Florida but the entire nation.”