NEW GULF DRILLING LAW
The drilling swath affected holds an estimated 5.831 trillion cubic feet of gas and 1.257 billion barrels of oil. Among the provisions of the law, which allows more offshore drilling but provides more environmental protection, are:
”¢ Opens 8.3 million acres off Florida’s Gulf Coast to oil and gas drilling.
Ӣ Extends until 2022 a no-drill zone stretching 125 miles off Pensacola, 235 miles off Tampa and 325 miles off Naples.
Ӣ Gives a 37.5 percent share of oil and gas royalties to Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi for coastal protection and conservation. Florida gets none of that revenue.
