Pentagon, Interior Dept. Disagree Over Offshore Drilling
May 04, 2017
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The Pentagon has stated that it wants to extend the ban on offshore drilling in the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico only a day after Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke wants to expand offshore drilling.
A.M. Kurta, the Pentagon's under secretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, stressed to Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) "that military training and related exercises in the eastern Gulf, which borders Florida, necessitate a continuation of Congress's ban on drilling."
The Defense Department has made it known over the years that while "there may be areas of potential oil and gas work in the Atlantic," officials believe the drilling "may not be compatible with defense operations and interests."