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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Local control over the onshore impacts of offshore energy development in Florida

Book ·
OSTI ID:5680454
Offshore oil and gas development, deepwater ports, shipping of petroleum products, and floating power plants are energy activities which could have great environmental, economic, and social impacts on Florida's coastal communities. The most obvious danger is the potential for oil spills through either the drilling for or transportation of oil. A large oil spill could be particularly devastating for Florida because of the fragile environment and the tourist based economy. However, there are many other impacts which, although not quite as spectacular as an oil spill, can have an equally profound effect on a local community. While energy development occurs offshore, it generates a great deal of onshore development. This onshore development, in turn, is accompanied by additional environmental, economic, and social impacts. These impacts can be either beneficial or detrimental to a local community. Thus, a local government must be aware of pluses and minuses associated with these energy activities in order to effectively respond to any development proposal.
OSTI ID:
5680454
Report Number(s):
NP-24223
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English