In addition to more drilling, the package also will set new standards for renewable energy use, repeal tax breaks given to oil companies, and invest billions of dollars in royalties that oil companies pay for drilling rights into the development of alternative energy. Read more »

President Bush and VP Cheney continue to side with Big Oil over the interests of the American people. Bush’s claim that drilling off of coastal Florida will lower gas prices is a hoax and a sham. Even Florida’s biggest pro business lobby states that drilling off our coast will not do anything to lower gas prices. Instead, a comprehensive energy plan is required that targets oil speculators to lower prices, promotes conservation and transit, forces oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres already available to them but not being tapped, and encourages drilling in the national reserve area to more immediately increase our oil supplies Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor says if oil companies are interested in drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, they should consider millions of acres already available to them that's not being tapped. Read more »

Does anybody think this will be good for the state's economy or quality of life? Drilling off the state would do little to lower gas costs, at best a few cents per gallon, and would not even be available for seven years or more. It makes no sense to risk Florida's coast for such a puny payoff. Read more »

This Independence Day, renew your commitment to energy independence through better gas mileage for our cars, innovation, an end to profiteering, conservation and transit. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar request General Accountability Office (GAO) study on liability and indemnity agreements governing commuter and intercity passenger rail services following controversy over CSX deal during state legislative session. Read more »

The author of a plan to allow drilling as close as 25 miles off Florida withdrew it Wednesday but plans to bring it up again soon. Florida lawmakers, this time led by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, have blocked drilling that close to Florida, saying it could harm the state's environment and tourism. Read more »

President Bush is threatening a veto if the bill reaches his desk. He says the bill would hurt the economy by, among other things, raising the price of electricity. The bill's defenders, including Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa, say the transition to homegrown or renewable fuels will save money in the long run. Read more »

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a landmark energy bill that could increase vehicle fuel efficiency standards and require that 15 percent of electricity be generated from renewable sources by 2020. But the Senate is expected to pass a version of the bill that is much weaker on renewable energy standards. U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor voted for the energy bill. Today she visited the Clean Energy Research Center on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus to learn about their renewable energy research. Read more »

Today U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor held the second of two meetings to develop recommendations for energy conservation. Read more »