News

GUEST COLUMN: Pass oil and gas regulation legislation

The abrupt end to the 2015 Legislative Session left an important piece of legislation in limbo: the regulation of the onshore oil and gas industry. Fortunately, Sen. Garrett Richter (R-Naples) and Rep. Ray Rodrigues (R-Estero) are again championing this good legislation during the 2016 Legislative Session, and we are nearing the finish line, with HB 191 having already gained passage in the Florida House and SB 318 having only one committee stop left before being considered by the full Florida Senate.

Read More > 

FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES DROP OPPOSITION TO FRACKING BILL

The Florida League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties have withdrawn their opposition to a bill prohibiting local governments from banning hydraulic fracturing.

Read More Here>

SENATE FRACKING PROPOSAL MOVES FORWARD DESPITE SOME CONCERNS

A proposal to regulate high-pressure well stimulation has cleared a second Senate committee, despite continued objections from environmental activists.

Read More Here>

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING BILL HEADED TO HOUSE FLOOR

A bill that aims to regulate hydraulic fracturing and other forms of high-pressure well stimulation is headed to the House floor, where bill sponsors said it will likely be amended to address local government concerns.

Read More Here>

BILL AIMED AT HYDRAULIC FRACKING CLEARS FIRST SENATE COMMITTEE

A bill to regulate hydraulic fracturing cleared its first Senate hurdle Wednesday.

Read More Here>

Misconceptions abundant in onshore oil and gas activities debate

Right now, in Florida, there's a debate over the future of onshore oil and gas activities and, more specifically, the use of high-pressure well stimulation techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing. During the course of this debate, there have been several common misconceptions surrounding the use of these advanced techniques. And, as lawmakers consider how to best govern this industry, we at Associated Industries of Florida feel it's important to address several of the fallacies that have been proffered.

Read More Here>

Expand oil extraction in Big Cypress

David Fleshler's "Big Cypress Oil Drilling" story clearly illustrates the promise of affordable and secure domestic energy being developed in an environmentally responsible manner.

Read More Here>

Misconceptions abound in fracking debate

Right now in Florida, there’s a debate over the future of onshore oil and gas activities and, more specifically, the use of high-pressure well stimulation techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing. During the course of this debate, there have been several misconceptions surrounding the use of these advanced techniques and their impact on the environment, the health and welfare of residents, and the impact to property values.

Read More Here>

Floridians Deserve to Have the Facts on Fracking

Florida’s oil and gas industry has operated safely —mostly unnoticed by residents and tourists—for decades.

Read More Here>


Guest commentary: Collier Resources responds to opposition to drilling bills

Recently, Ray Judah penned a guest commentary in the Naples Daily News, “Oil, gas drilling bills don’t adequately protect groundwater” that contains multiple inaccuracies and warrants a response.

Read More Here>

ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES PRAISES GARRETT RICHTER, RAY RODRIGUES FOR CARRYING ONSHORE GAS BILL

A perennial power player in Tallahassee politics singled out two Republican lawmakers for praise on Friday for their work on behalf of the Florida oil and gas industry.

Read More Here>

Guest commentary: An oil, natural gas framework that works for Florida

The development of Florida’s energy supplies has been the subject of recent news stories and columns in the Naples Daily News and many other newspapers throughout Florida.

Read More Here > 

Guest commentary: Sound legislation proposed to regulate Fla. oil and gas industry

The recently published opinion piece by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Jennifer Hecker regarding the onshore oil and gas industry is misleading and inaccurate.

Read More Here >

Smarter regulation needed

Energy production in Florida holds the promise to boost our economy with jobs and revenue to local communities around the state. Florida is the third-largest energy consumer in America and yet it produces less than 1 percent of the nation's energy supply. This disparity, along with the significant economic potential of energy production, is why energy companies continue to explore mineral resources in promising areas such as southwest Florida.

Read More Here>

AMA Resolution on Disclosure Based on Misdiagnosis of Current Policies

Earlier this week, the American Medical Association (AMA) issued a statement announcing that it had voted during its annual meeting “to adopt new policies on emerging health care topics.” Two specific policies were mentioned in the AMA release: one calling on itself to do more to ensure veterans have access to better health care closer to home (cool); and the other “supporting the full disclosure of chemicals placed into the environment” during the hydraulic fracturing process.

Read More Here >

Fracking bill strengthens regulatory framework

 Responding to concerns raised in Southwest Florida, I filed legislation to strengthen Florida’s regulatory framework governing oil and gas activities in the state.

Read More Here >

Guest commentary: Rep. Rodrigues — drilling legislation good for environment

Responding to concerns raised in Southwest Florida, I filed legislation to strengthen Florida’s regulatory framework governing oil and gas activities in the state of Florida.

Read More Here > 

Shine spotlight on oil drilling to ease fears

Maybe the Dan A. Hughes Co., the Texas-based oil company that ran afoul of the Florida Department of  Environmental Protection, did the state a favor. The flap it caused while drilling for oil will likely spark a reevaluation of oil-drilling regulations and help  the public better understand an industry that operates near parks, animal preserves and drinking water supplies.

Read more here >



Oil and natural gas supply more than 60 percent of our nation’s energy.

The oil industry provides more than 9.2 million American jobs, 267,277 in Florida alone.
The oil industry has invested $175 billion since 1990 toward improving the environmental performance of its products, facilities and operations.
Currently, oil is the principal transportation fuel in the United States, accounting for more than 97 percent of the energy that powers our nation’s automobiles, airplanes and ships.
Oil is expected to remain the dominant fuel in our nation’s energy mix for decades.
Combined with natural gas production, the oil industry supports nearly 9.2 million American jobs, while providing millions of dollars to the economy through state and local revenue each day. 
The oil and natural gas industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy as one of the nation’s largest employers and purchasers of goods. 
9.8 million people are directly or indirectly employed by the U.S. oil and natural gas industry.
Energy demand in the U.S. is expected to grow by 12 percent between now and 2040.
America’s oil and natural gas industry has a long-standing commitment to safety and protecting the environment. 
Since 1990, the oil and natural gas industry has invested $239 billion toward improving the environmental performance of its products, facilities and operations
Oil and natural gas development has been safely conducted for more than 60 years.