WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The Trump Administration announcing Friday that offshore oil drilling in Florida is not "off the table."
Walter Cruickshank, director if the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) made the announcement at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing.
When Cruickshank was asked why Florida received a special carve out from having oil drilling off of its coast, he replied, "We have no formal decision yet on what's in, or out, of the five-year program."
Last week officials said Florida was granted an exception from the Trump's Administration and offshore drilling wouldn't happen.
After the announcement was made Senator Bill Nelson requested specific details on any changes made to the agency's drilling plans.
Without official word or documentations, later that same day Senator Nelson filed a legislation to permanently ban drilling off of Florida's coast.
Critics believe the initial announcement of an exception was part of a political stunt to give Florida Governor Rick Scott a win on drilling.
Governor Scott says he plans to continue opposing drilling off of Florida's Gulf Coast and that he believes the Trump Administration will exempt Florida.
