Bill Bradley is continuing to put the heat on Vice Pres. Al Gore over offshore drilling, pressing it as an issue in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. On Tuesday, Bradley challenged Gore to take immediate action against proposed natural gas drilling off the Florida Panhandle. The Florida Department of Community Affairs denied a permit for Chevron USA to put about 20 natural gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico some 25 miles south of Pensacola. Chevron has appealed to Commerce Secretary William Daley, who has the power to overrule the state, and Bradley is now challenging Gore to use his influence in the administration to uphold Florida’s decision. Gore spokesperson Chris Lehane argues that Gore is still out front on the issue of offshore drilling. In September, Gore announced that if elected president, he would ban drilling in federal waters off the entire U.S. coastline.
