Florida Blocks Unocal Drilling

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —  Florida has temporarily blocked Union Oil of California’s plans to drill for oil and gas off the state’s southwest coast, Gov. Bob Martinez announced Monday.

Martinez said the state sent the U.S. Department of the Interior a formal objection to Unocal’s plan to drill three exploratory wells, halting the company’s plans until it appeals to Secretary of Commerce C. William Verity.

Martinez said he blocked the drilling because there is not enough information available to rule out serious damage to Florida’s environment and economy should the wells lead to an oil spill.

“The environmental and historic resources of the area are recognized as both a state and national treasure,” Martinez said. “We cannot, and will not, take any chances when it comes to protecting these resources from possible harm.”

Unocal, based in Los Angeles, had planned to drill the wells about 45 miles northwest of the Dry Tortugas, in a section of the Gulf called Pulley Ridge. Unocal had submitted its plan to drill to the Interior Department before Congress voted earlier this year to enact a one-year ban on leasing and drilling in the area.