Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding the Interior Department’s decision to postpone hearings on expanding offshore drilling:

“The Interior Department hearings have been rightfully postponed. This Interior announcement signals that the Administration’s proposal to permit oil exploration closer to Florida beaches is dead in the wake of the BP oil disaster. Additional studies or comment periods are unnecessary because it is evident that drilling close to our shores is too risky for Florida’s economy and our way of life.

“Right now, we must focus our attention on holding BP accountable and recovering from the BP oil disaster by helping our small businesses regain their footing and stopping the leak. The last thing we need to expend Interior’s resources on is expanding offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Delaying these hearings is a good start, but I will continue pushing the Administration to ban new offshore drilling and keep rigs far from our beautiful coasts.”