Could Washington get an exemption from offshore drilling?

As Washington watches how newly-approved offshore drilling could impact its coast, there’s some hope that the state could get an exemption.

“It depends on their personal relationship with (Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke),” Adam Federman told KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross. “Florida has been granted an exception.”

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Federman writes for The Nation. His recent article “This is How the Trump Administration Gives Big Oil the Keys to Public Land” details developments in Utah, where oil and gas drilling could threaten Dinosaur National Monument.

As Federman points out, Florida was able to nab an exception from Secretary Zinke (though that decision is now uncertain). Washington State Governor Jay Insee has asked for the same consideration. Inslee said on Jan. 12:

I spoke with Secretary Zinke today and reiterated my opposition to his offshore oil drilling proposal. I told him the concerns of Washingtonians and West Coast residents deserve to be treated with the same consideration and deliberation as those in Florida.

Secretary Zinke did not provide that commitment, unfortunately. But this fight is far from over. We will continue advocating for Washington to be removed from the plan. We stand ready to provide any additional information about our coastline’s pristine natural beauty and the economic backbone it provides for communities. This offshore drilling proposal is a serious threat to one of our state’s greatest assets, and we will continue to fight this proposal as long as it takes.

Washington is joined by Oregon and California in opposition to potential oil drilling off their shores. Of course, they are states with Democratic governors. Florida’s Republican Governor Rick Scott may have more sway with the administration.

“The way this was rolled out is reflective of how sloppy the department has been in terms of doing their homework,” Federman said. “They want to accomplish this agenda, but they are going about it in a way that is not helping them push through these controversial measures. This is a long-term plan and it opens up nearly all of the US coastal waters to offshore development. Now there seems to be a certain amount of back-and-forth in terms of whether certain areas will be taken off the table. ”

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