The oil and gas industry will have Florida's business-owners and U.S. manufacturers on their side when lobbying for opening more of offshore Florida to exploration, report the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Keith McCoy, NAM vice president, resources and environmental policy, says, "Manufacturers are facing the highest natural gas prices ever. The AIF's announcement shows that momentum is building for accessing our energy resources in the outer continental shelf." U.S. manufacturers are responsible for 33% of the nation's natural gas demand. The AIF has stated its support of legislation sponsored by Rep. Richard Pombo, R-California, proposing that a new, five-year energy plan increase exploration in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico region. Florida Governor Jeb Bush also supports the legislation. "Florida will suffer high economic consequences if we do not open some additional areas of the Gulf waters to exploration," says Barney Bishop, AIF president. The AIF represents more than 10,000 Florida businesses. "The skyrocketing prices of natural gas will force businesses to cut jobs, freeze growth and raise consumer prices. While we must work hard to protect Florida's pristine environment, we must also compete fiercely in a global economy. To do that, Florida's businesses must have a reliable and affordable energy supply." More than 80% of the state's new electricity-generation capacity from 1998-2002 uses natural gas as the primary fuel. During the next 10 years, another 19,000 megawatts are planned of which 92% will use gas. "The current natural gas situation creates additional problems for Florida's agricultural industry, which continues to suffer from the devastating hurricanes of 2004 and 2005," says Mary Hartney of the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association. A recent survey by PNC Financial Services indicates that energy costs are the No. 1 concern of Florida's small-business owners, outranking employee health-care spending, the top concern for many consecutive years. Bishop says, "Florida's leaders and residents need to be aware that we use substantially more electricity than the national average, and the state's growth rate in overall energy use is almost twice the national rate. "If Florida is to grow and prosper during the next 20 and 30 years, we must take some responsibility. Florida is a huge consumer of energy, and it is time to be a part of the solution."

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