The oil & gas industry is the heart and soul of the Louisiana and Texas economies, so any ban on drilling off the coasts of these two states would be catastrophic to Americans and the national economy— tens of thousands of jobs would be lost.
According to the Texas Oil & Gas Association, any ban on federal leasing “ would mean over 200,000 jobs lost and $223 million in reduced revenue for Texas and Louisiana alone.”
Even as President Donald Trump extended the moratorium for drilling off of Florida’s shores, a move that was welcomed by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Washington, the president wants to expand drilling in the rest of the Gulf of Mexico and off the Atlantic coastline.
Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio led the charge in trying to persuade President Trump to ensure Floridians the drilling off of the state’s coastline was off the table.
Moments after the president signed his executive order to extend the moratorium, Sen. Scott tweeted “after many conversations” with the president on “the importance of keeping FL’s coastline pristine,” the he “extended the moratorium for another 10 years.”
Rep. Brian Mast (R) stated that it wasn’t “worth the risk of endangering” the environment.
“Drilling off the shores of Florida is a non-starter—not worth the risk of endangering our environment, fishing, boating, or tourism,” stated Rep. Mast President Trump’s plan to extend the moratorium is the right one, and it proves that our voices are being heard. We must never tolerate drilling near our beautiful coastline!”
“This is kind of leadership we appreciate in Florida as we work to protect our state’s uniquely sensitive environment and economy,” stated Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R).
It’s obvious that Trump supports energy exploration, but does former Vice President Joe Biden?
The answer is No.
The former vice president supports the oil drilling ban off of Florida’s coasts and also supports a complete phase-out or end to offshore drilling across the board, which would include Louisiana and Texas.
“I can guarantee you, if I’m president, there will be no offshore drilling"- Vice President Joe Biden
Biden’s running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, is also in favor of a complete ban on drilling and stood by her position during a CNN appearance when she was asked if she supported a ban.
While oil industry workers don’t find losing their jobs as a joking matter, a laughing Harris answered the question, saying “Yes, and again, I have worked on that.”
During a recent interview with a Louisiana news station, Biden was asked what he would do so that Louisiana “gets its fair share of oil and gas revenue as so much drilling is done off the Louisiana cost right now?”
Biden said that he thought “ that drilling off the coast over time has to come down to being phased out.”
Biden’s stance on oil drilling is nothing new. During one of the presidential primary debates against Sen. Bernie Sanders, Biden expressed his support for the “New Green Deal” and asserted his support for all-but close down the oil & gas industry in America.
“No more drilling on federal land, including offshore. No ability for the oil industry to continue to drill, period, ends,” said Biden
A complete ban on oil exploration and support for “The Green New Deal,” which both Biden and Harris support, will not sit well with Texan voters who stand to lose the most if a Biden energy plan is every put in place.
Joe Biden: "No more drilling, including offshore. No ability for the oil industry to continue to drill, period, ends."pic.twitter.com/Lps6vrvLVZ
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 15, 2020
