Statement by Senator Bob Graham and William K. Reilly, Co-Chairs for the Oil Spill Commission, on House Natural Resources Offshore Drilling Proposals
Apr 14, 2011, 11:48 ET
WASHINGTON, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Senator Bob Graham and William K. Reilly, Co-chairs for the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, on House Natural Resources Offshore Drilling Proposals:
"Efficient, expeditious review of permitting decisions for offshore oil development is critical to meet our country's demand for transportation fuels, and that is clearly an objective of the bills under consideration by the House Resources Committee. And yet, as we approach the first anniversary of the BP Macondo oil spill, the worst oil spill in our history, we need to keep front and center that safety along with containment and response capabilities and effective, science-based environmental reviews are imperative if we are to develop the resources responsibly and minimize the risk of another disaster like the one that fouled the Gulf of Mexico, disrupting the region's economy.
"Secretary of the Interior Salazar has taken many important steps to improve his Department's regulatory oversight and we urge Congress, as it considers legislation, to support his initiatives, to provide the necessary appropriations, and to incorporate the findings and recommendations of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Commission, which sought to instill respect for safety and careful planning in drilling for oil off our shores. Cutting corners in the permitting process will be counter-productive for the industry, the other stakeholders in the Gulf, and the American people."
SOURCE National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling
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