Our approach has been to have a balanced energy policy, and today's decision indicates that balance. ... This does allow us to prevent the most immediate, most in-shore area of potential oil and gas development.

a very reasonable compromise between those who support further development ... to meet our growing energy demands and the citizens of Florida who oppose drilling in the waters off their coastline.

We also know that China and India, as their economies ramp up, are using more and more energy.

We do have serious energy needs for the country, we are aware that natural gas is especially in demand because of its air quality benefits: 90 percent of new power plants have been natural gas-powered.

The developers, if they decide to move a tortoise, have to pay the long-term costs for enhancing the areas that take care of the tortoise, and it gives us the opportunity to manage an area that is going to be protected.

I think that our cooperative conservation approaches get people to sit down and grapple with problem solving.