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Take Action A decision of this magnitude—to Florida's ecology and economy—should not be made lightly. We need your help: Use our easy email function to write Senate President Jeff Atwater. Tell him if the Senate decides to consider drilling, it should be deferred until the 2010 session to ensure sufficient deliberation in the sunshine. We Need Your Help  We may not know the identities of the drilling backers, but the fact that they have deep pockets is evident: legions of Tallahassee’s most expensive lobbyists have been retained to overwhelm any opposition. We need your help: Please contribute to Audubon’s work to fight this end-run. They may have money on their side, but we have the people of Florida. Help us make our case: please contribute right now. Tell Your Friends Let your friends know about this very important issue. Oil drilling has the potential to seriously harm Florida's economic well-being, as well as it's precious natural resources.

Crist Slips on Oil: Slow the Rush to Oil Drilling
Protect Florida's Beaches – Please Respond

Florida's decades-old ban on oil and gas drilling in nearshore waters has been under siege since spring when a shadowy group of oilmen tried to rush a sweetheart deal through the Legislature in the final weeks of the 2009 Regular Session.  The oilmen are still at it - spending millions on campaign contributions, public relations and lobbying.

Now they are trying to get the issue considered in a special October session of the Legislature. We thought we could count on Governor Charlie Crist to hold the line on drilling, but he has slipped again.

Fortunately, Senate President Jeff Atwater sent a letter to all senators yesterday suggesting an October session was unlikely, and one including drilling was even more unlikely: "[with regard to drilling] There are policy decisions to be considered that are not well served by undue haste.  If, or when, the Senate takes up this issue it will be in a manner that allows for sufficient time to debate the facts and the merits of such policy.  The citizens of Florida deserve a thoughtful and deliberative process that establishes a factual baseline for our conversations."

Public hearings on oil drilling have been nonexistent, and drilling proponents are claiming false economic benefits in an attempt to distract from the significant environmental effects and threats to Florida's flagship industry: Coastal Tourism.

Audubon has identified twelve major technical questions that must be resolved before drilling could be seriously considered (see box below).

But the drillers don't want the issues debated and that is why they are pushing a special session - to limit public discussion, limit thorough evaluation of the risks and benefits, and limit the likelihood that their identities and political contributions will be revealed to the public.

A decision of this magnitude—to Florida's ecology and economy—should not be made lightly. We need your help: Use our easy email function to write Senate President Jeff Atwater. Tell him if the Senate decides to consider drilling, it should be deferred until the 2010 session to ensure sufficient deliberation in the sunshine.

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