In testimony today before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congresswoman Kathy Castor told members that Florida’s businesses are suffering as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster and urged Congress to eliminate the liability cap on oil companies. Read more »

As oil washed closer to Florida on Thursday, local businesses and environmentalists said the state must spread a critically important message: Tampa Bay beaches are still oil-free. Read more »

For all intents and purposes, bringing rigs closer to Florida’s beaches appears to be dead. The Deepwater Horizon disaster has confirmed my position that domestic drilling is too risky a proposition for our economy and our environment. Read more »

The current in the Gulf of Mexico has begun flowing in a clockwise circle, a temporary shift that spins a massive oil spill away from the Florida Keys and the East Coast, a group of academics said Wednesday. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor re-filed her bill today entitled the Florida Coastal Protection Act, which would prohibit oil drilling, leasing, preleasing and any related activities off the Gulf coast and the Straits of Florida. Castor filed the bill to ban oil drilling and leasing activities permanently. The current buffer 235 miles off of Tampa Bay is effective only through 2022. Read more »

The successful mission of the University of South Florida’s Weatherbird II, and the ongoing gusher, highlight the need for a commitment to long-term monitoring, data gathering and research, Congresswoman Kathy Castor said today. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor exacted a pledge from BP’s president today that he would work with her and other high-level Florida officials to address the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster on the state and its hard-working residents. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor questioned BP, Transocean and Halliburton executives and engineers today at a closed-door briefing regarding the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf. Read more »

“While I applaud the White House for saying there will be no domestic drilling in new areas until there is an adequate review of what happened in the Deepwater Horizon disaster, we need to go even further. Read more »

“Drilling for oil off of Florida’s west coast beaches would be a serious threat to Florida’s economy and jobs. Our long-term economic health is dependent on clean beaches and clean water. I oppose any threat to jobs and Florida’s tourism and fishing industries. Read more »