Obama Admin Reverses Decision to Allow Drilling in Eastern Gulf

The Blaze (Link) - AP - Jonathon M. Seidl (December 1, 2010)

President Barack Obama�s administration won�t allow any new oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico for at least the next seven years because of the BP oil spill.

A senior administration official told The Associated Press on Wednesday that drilling leases won�t be considered in the waters off Florida as part of the change. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision hadn�t been announced yet.

He said that because of the BP spill, the administration now understands the need to elevate safety and environmental standards. Before the spill, the administration had considered a plan to allow drilling in the eastern Gulf.

According to the New York Times, drilling would remain under a moratorium �until stronger safety and environmental standards were in place.�

Drilling can continue in the central and western Gulf, however only under a set of new safeguards that were put in place after April�s BP oil spill.

The decision reverses a decision in March to open up more of the Gulf to offshore drilling.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is expected to discuss the decision later Wednesday afternoon. �