Dem: Courts will strike down Zinke position on Florida drilling

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) on Tuesday argued that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s decision to rule out Florida’s coasts for offshore drilling, but not other states such as California, will be struck down in court.

“California and other coastal states also rely on our beautiful coasts for tourism and our economy,” Lieu tweeted in response to Zinke’s announcement.

Taking #Florida off the table for offshore drilling but not #California violates the legal standard of arbitrary and capricious agency action. California and other coastal states also rely on our beautiful coasts for tourism and our economy. I believe courts will strike this down https://t.co/xWyB69F7Gg

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 9, 2018

Lieu, who has a law degree from Georgetown University, argued Zinke’s decision doesn’t comply with the Administrative Procedure Act.

{mosads}Zinke said Tuesday that he won’t allow offshore drilling in waters near Florida through 2024, and would remove the state from a list of locations to be opened up for expanded drilling.

The decision came after Zinke met with Florida’s Republican Gov. Rick Scott in Tallahassee earlier in the day to discuss the governor’s objections.

“I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver,” Zinke said.

Zinke announced last week the Trump administration’s proposal to consider oil and gas drilling in nearly every area off the nation’s coasts. After gathering public comment on the proposal, the Interior Department will craft another proposal.

Elected officials in other coastal states including New Hampshire, Maine and California, have voiced opposition to expanded drilling off their coasts.

Following Zinke’s reversal on Florida, leaders in California, New York and Virginia all asked how they could be taken off the table for drilling.

New York doesn’t want drilling off our coast either. Where do we sign up for a waiver @SecretaryZinke? https://t.co/dt1rJAEna1

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 9, 2018

.@SecretaryZinke: California is also “unique” & our “coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver.” Our “local and state voice” is firmly opposed to any and all offshore drilling.

If that’s your standard, we, too, should be removed from your list. Immediately. https://t.co/T6W6JaPCPh

— Xavier Becerra (@AGBecerra) January 9, 2018

Virginia’s governor (and governor-elect) have made this same request, but we have not received the same commitment. Wonder why… https://t.co/9HgvOWC1p6

— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) January 9, 2018