Wasserman Schultz, Hastings Condemn Decision to Drill for Oil in the Everglades

(Washington D.C.) – Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) and Alcee Hastings (FL-20) today pledged to continue fighting a controversial oil well in the Everglades after a recent appeals court ruled that the controversial project widely opposed by environmentalists and local governments should move forward.

The Florida First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee recently issued a decision to reverse the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) denial of a permit to Kanter Real Estate to drill for oil in the Everglades outside Miramar. The court ordered the State of Florida to issue the permit for the proposed exploratory well in Broward County. Broward County and City of Miramar officials have expressed strong opposition to the well.

Reps. Hastings and Wasserman Schultz have fought tirelessly to protect and restore the Everglades ecosystem and provide robust funding for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) during their time as elected officials.

“The decision to override the Department of Environmental Protection’s expert decision-making and allow an oil well to be drilled in the fragile Everglades ecosystem is wrongheaded and alarming,” said Wasserman Schultz. “So much of South Florida’s quality of life depends on the Everglades, and opening any part of the CERP region to oil drilling jeopardizes the health and safety for 8 million Floridians who rely on the Everglades for water. I will continue to work with officials at the federal, state, and local levels to do what we can to stop oil drills from touching this critical conservation area in Broward County. This fight is not over.”

“There is no place for oil drills in the Everglades,” said Congressman Alcee L. Hastings. “Drilling in the River of Grass is a huge setback for Everglades restoration, and an oil spill there would not only devastate this national treasure, but also the surrounding communities. This should be immediately appealed and overturned.”