WASHINGTON — Congress began advancing legislation Wednesday that imposes new safeguards on offshore oil drilling in hopes of preventing a repeat of the devastating spill that has brought environmental and economic havoc to the Gulf coast.
Two Senate committees separately approved bills that would strengthen the government’s regulation of offshore drilling, require oil companies to be better prepared to cope with a spill, and lift federal spill-related economic liability limits.
The bills now advance to the full Senate, where they are likely to be merged into broader legislation.
Meanwhile, several committees in the House discussed legislation in response to the BP oil spill, with committee votes expected in the coming weeks.
While a call to impose greater safeguards in offshore drilling has shown widespread, bipartisan support, some lawmakers – Democrats and Republicans – raised concern that the actions by Congress might stifle offshore oil and gas development. Others say the bills don’t go far enough and should be strengthened.
Congress should “address some of the obvious violations that have occurred” but the key is “striking a balance,” said Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., whose state is bearing the brunt of the BP oil spill, but also views offshore oil development an economic necessity.
Landrieu said she voted “reluctantly” for a bill that emerged Wednesday from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, fearing it might harm oil development. (FULL STORY)
