👥 Who: Rep. Jimmy Patronis, Rep. Neal Dunn, Rep. Mike Haridopolos, Rep. Daniel Webster, Rep. Vern Buchanan, Rep. Laurel Lee, Rep. Scott Franklin, Rep. Byron Donalds, and President Donald J. Trump.
🔍 What: A formal request urging the removal of certain drilling blocks from the Big Beautiful Gulf Lease Sale (BBGLS) 1.
📅 When: Letter issued Thursday, November 20, 2025.
📍 Where: Washington, D.C., concerning the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range.
❗ Why: To prevent interference with military testing and training, avoid economic harm, and protect tourism in Northwest Florida.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jimmy Patronis, joined by seven members of Florida’s congressional delegation, is calling on President Donald J. Trump to remove specific blocks within the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range (EGTTR) from the upcoming Big Beautiful Gulf Lease Sale (BBGLS) 1. The lawmakers warn that oil exploration or drilling activity in these parcels would threaten some of the nation’s most critical military missions and undermine the economic stability of Northwest Florida.
The letter — co-signed by Reps. Neal Dunn, Mike Haridopolos, Daniel Webster, Vern Buchanan, Laurel Lee, Scott Franklin, and Byron Donalds outline concerns surrounding the December 10, 2025, lease sale, which would open vast areas of the Gulf of America to domestic energy development. While the group expressed continued support for the administration’s efforts to strengthen American energy independence, they emphasized that certain areas near Florida’s military installations must remain off-limits.
The EGTTR spans an enormous section of the Gulf and serves as one of the U.S. military’s most valuable testing environments for advanced weapons systems, flight operations, and classified programs. The range directly supports missions at Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, Tyndall Air Force Base, and Naval Air Station Pensacola — all located in Northwest Florida.
In their letter, the lawmakers described the magnitude of operations taking place in the range each year:
Roughly 226 bombs, weighing a combined 25,500 pounds, are dropped annually.
More than 535 missiles, totaling 30,000 pounds, are fired in scheduled training and testing.
Over 67,100 rounds are discharged during mission activities.
A significant portion of these missions occurs at night, particularly for special operations forces stationed in the region.
The delegation stressed that the size, isolation, and strategic geographic position of the range — including proximity to Caribbean and South American corridors — make it irreplaceable for national defense. Oil infrastructure, platforms, and associated electromagnetic emissions, they argue, could create unacceptable interference with testing of hypersonic systems, counter-drone technology, aviation operations, and joint-service training.
The letter also highlights the substantial economic footprint of the military in the region. Defense-related activity contributes $21.8 billion to Northwest Florida’s gross domestic product and supports nearly 200,000 jobs across Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and surrounding counties.
Any disruption to military capability, the lawmakers warned, would ripple through local communities, affecting housing, small businesses, tourism-driven industries, and long-term regional planning.
The Gulf Coast’s tourism economy also came under consideration. The lawmakers argue that the natural beauty of the area — what they describe as “God’s gift to Florida” — could be harmed by offshore drilling infrastructure or potential environmental risks, making the case for preserving visitor confidence and coastal recreation.
The lawmakers highlighted another major issue: the proposed lease requirements obligating lessees to “control their own electromagnetic emissions.” They called this provision unworkable in practice, noting that the average American household owns 17 devices capable of generating interference, from cellphones to microwave ovens.
They argue that even minor interference could jeopardize precision testing of sensitive military technologies that rely heavily on clean electromagnetic environments.
The members of Congress praised President Trump’s previous actions to withdraw certain Gulf areas from leasing, saying these decisions demonstrated a commitment to balancing national defense and economic priorities.
“With deepest respect and gratitude,” the letter states, “we urge you to direct all areas in the EGTTR to be withdrawn before the range is compromised.”
Congressman Jimmy Patronis represents Florida’s First Congressional District, home to one of the nation’s most military-dense regions. He serves on the House Committee on Small Business and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In Congress, Patronis advocates for strengthening national defense, supporting military families, growing small businesses, and expanding economic opportunity across Northwest Florida.
Follow Congressman Patronis on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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