As a continueing effort, many of us still write to our congressmen and senators as an on going effort.  As gas prices are rising, I wrote once again to ask that the mandates be lifted and that while we encourage the development of alternate sources, we attempt to become energy independent by using our own resources.  My letter did not focus on drilling in Florida, but I certainly asked that the mandates stopping drilling in the Gulf be lifted or overturned or that congress do whatever was necessary to stop the exodus of oil companies from the Gulf.  My letter focused on drilling anywhere there was an opportunity to provide ourselves wtih our energy dependence from foreign sources.  The response I received from Congressman Ander Crenshaw is below, and it reads very much like something I also received from Senator Nelson a short while back............very similiar!  Apparently we are going to use the spill in the Gulf for many years to stop drilling there, and it isn't just the liberals.

 Ms. Patricia M. McBride

 7241 Maple Tree Drive

 Jacksonville, FL 32277

 Dear Ms. McBride:

 Thank you for contacting me to express your opinion regarding drilling off the coast of Untied States, including Florida. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts on this matter.

 With 1,800 miles of coastline, Florida is renowned throughout the world for its pristine and beautiful beaches and oceans. Our economy relies upon that reputation remaining intact and vibrant. In 2010, over 82.3 million tourists came to Florida and contributed $62.7 billion to Florida's economy. It is estimated that one third of all tourists visiting Florida come to relax on its sun soaked beaches and spend their money in Florida's hotels, shops, restaurants, and attractions along the coast. It is because of our commitment to the environmental and economic health of our state that numerous Floridians, including myself, oppose oil and gas development less than 100 miles off the shores of Florida.

 As you are aware, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded on April 20, 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico killing 11 people and injuring 17 others. This tragic accident caused over 4.9 million barrels of oil to spill into the Gulf of Mexico and caused extensive damage to marine and wildlife habitats. The shores, wildlife, fisheries and economy along the Gulf reeling and the spill's impact is being felt further away.

 In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon explosion, the Department of the Interior instituted a six-month moratorium on all new deep-water drilling in the Gulf or Pacific. The Department also took a series of steps to cancel or delay indefinitely all other offshore oil and gas exploration activities (including shallow water exploration). Though the Gulf moratorium has now been lifted, little progress has been made to restart the majority of these operations.

 Since then, all Americans have felt the pain at the pump as gas prices continue to rise. These rising gas prices not only affect us at the pump, but they also affect numerous other aspects of our monthly budgets from increases in food prices to decreased tourism revenue for several of our communities and small businesses.

 If America is going to forge through this economic recovery, we must develop a stable and affordable supply of energy. One of the ways we can accomplish this goal is to drill more here at home. Drilling more will not lower the price of fuel immediately, but it will help create long-term stability in the price of oil domestically.

 Throughout my service in government, I have tried to maintain a balanced approach to all issues, including those regarding our environment. I believe that we must be good stewards of our natural resources and pass along a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren, but we must be equally good stewards of our economic resources and pass along a strong and viable economy for our children and grandchildren as well. I do not believe that these interests are mutually exclusive, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to maintain this balance.

 We have significant reserves of oil that become more accessible every day as our technology improves. In addition to oil exploration, we must pursue an all-of-the-above energy plan that allows us to tap into the natural resources we have in this country. The more of these domestic sources that we can utilize now, the less we will need to rely on importing foreign oil.

 A number of legislative proposals from both sides of the aisle have been introduced during the 112th Congress that address offshore oil exploration and development. As a matter of fact, earlier this year, the House took swift action prior to the summer driving season to increase domestic supply by passing three energy production bills: H.R. 1229, Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work Act, H.R. 1230, Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act, and H.R. 1231, Reversing President Obama's Offshore Moratorium Act. I cast my vote in support of these three initiatives; however, the Senate has not acted upon these measures and according to Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Senate has no plans to consider these proposals.

If enacted, these measures will address high gas prices and help the economy create jobs. According to Dr. Joseph Mason, an economist and professor at Louisiana State University, these three bills combined could create an estimated 250,000 short-term jobs and 1.2 million long-term jobs. Rest assured that I will continue to work to protect our precious natural resources and to encourage greater appreciation for the natural beauty of Florida.

Again, I want to thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance on this matter or if you would like additional information on this topic or other issues facing Congress, please visit my website at crenshaw.house.gov.

Sincerely,

AC: mk

Sincerely,

Ander Crenshaw

Member of Congress