Coastline

The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, which has so far produced five named storms but little damage to the U.S. coastline or energy interests in the Gulf of Mexico, may be poised to ramp up tropical activity, according to forecasters at AccuWeather.com.

The final four months of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season are likely to pack a punch for the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S. coastline, according to forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), who on Thursday released an updated forecast calling for a 90% chance of an above normal season.

Two issues are stirring the pot for Oregon lawmakers: No. 1, legislators are working to stop potential offshore oil/gas drilling along the state’s coastline. No. 2, and separately a business-labor coalition went to the state capital last Wednesday to take aim at the legislature to correct what it characterizes as a flawed regulatory permitting system for energy infrastructure.

Oregon state lawmakers are working to stop potential offshore oil/gas drilling along the state’s coastline and separately a business-labor coalition went to the state capital Wednesday to take aim at the legislature to correct what it characterizes as a flawed regulatory permitting system for energy infrastructure. To support the latter, Energy Action Northwest, the business-labor group, staged a rally in the rain seeking support of various proposed bills aimed at creating more jobs in the infrastructure sector.

Oregon state lawmakers are working to stop potential offshore oil/gas drilling along the state’s coastline and separately a business-labor coalition went to the state capital Wednesday to take aim at the legislature to correct what it characterizes as a flawed regulatory permitting system for energy infrastructure. To support the latter, Energy Action Northwest, the business-labor group, staged a rally in the rain seeking support of various proposed bills aimed at creating more jobs in the infrastructure sector.

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), an opponent of drilling near the Florida coastline, said Friday he will not return to the Senate following the August recess. Martinez previously said he planned to leave the Senate at the end of 2010, but he moved up the date for personal reasons. Martinez often joined Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) in blocking measures that attempted to open the Florida offshore to oil and natural gas drilling. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who has his own eyes set on the U.S. Senate in 2010, will appoint a successor to serve out Martinez’s term.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday approved a Democratic amendment that would bring oil and natural gas leasing closer to the Florida coastline.

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) has offered legislation to block Cuba from engaging in oil and natural gas production off the Florida coastline. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (D-FL) said she plans to introduce a similar bill in the House.

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL) has offered legislation that would block Cuba from engaging in oil and natural gas production off the Florida coastline. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (D-FL) said she plans to introduce a similar bill in the House.