It's Bush Vs. We should know by the end of the summer whether President George W. Bush will allow oil and gas drilling off the coast of Pensacola. Bush s brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has fought against the proposal. Chevron is just one decision away from an interior department permit to drill for oil and gas just 25 miles off of Pensacola beach.
Environmentalists are clearly worried.
Mark Ferrulo of the Florida Public Interest Research Group is nervous about the type of presence that Chevron would have in the gulf. As U.S. Senator Bill Nelson celebrated the opening of his new Florida office, the Senator said that even with Democrats now in control of the Senate, it could be difficult to prevent the drilling. It will make it a little easier for us, because we'll be able to control the agenda of what gets to the floor. One possible benefit of the Washington political upheaval is that Democrats now control the budget-making process. Getting the Interior Department's attention through the budget is where environmentalists are holding out hope for success.