Clearwater is joining in statewide resistance to proposed federal plans for oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
Citing the city’s coastal economy and threats to marine life, the City Council on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution opposing plans from the federal government that would bring offshore oil drilling closer to Florida’s coast.
“The protection of our coastal environment and economy is a priority for Clearwater, and the long-term well-being of our community outweighs the short-term benefits that expanded offshore drilling might offer to the oil and gas industry,” the resolution states.
Under the federal proposal, a large portion of the Gulf of Mexico, which has traditionally been protected from drilling, would be open for new oil leases. The plan was released in November.
Pushback on the proposal was swift and bipartisan. In December, all of Florida’s congressional representatives penned a letter condemning the proposal.
They urged President Donald Trump to uphold a 2020 ban he placed on new oil leases in the eastern Gulf of Mexico through 2032. Gov. Ron DeSantis has also asked the Trump administration to abide by the moratorium.
Last month, Tampa Bay environmental groups and local leaders, including Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, gathered at Clearwater Beach to voice their opposition to the plan — many citing the devastating 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
“Tourism died for two years,” City Council member David Allbritton said in a Feb. 2 work session. ”I’m really opposed to any oil drilling, seeing how our biggest priority is the beaches and tourism.”
The resolution will be sent to relevant officials, including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, U.S. Sens. Ashley Moody and Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
