Bill aims to prevent ‘another Exxon Valdez'
Published Friday, May 16, 2008
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved a bill Thursday that would require non-oil carrying vessels to have double hulls around their fuel tanks.
The bill was introduced by Democratic Sens. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Barbara Boxer of California in response to several oil spills that have affected Lower 48 coastal areas in recent years.
Last fall, 58,000 gallons of toxic bunker fuel poured into the San Francisco Bay after the Cosco Busan struck the Bay Bridge. And a vessel spilled nearly 265,000 gallons of crude oil in New Jersey’s Delaware River in 2004.
“The last thing America needs is another Exxon Valdez,” Lautenberg said. “We cannot let our coastlines, our wildlife or our economy suffer the catastrophic effects of another oil spill.”
In 1989, the Exxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound, spilling 11 million gallons of oil and fouling 1,300 miles of coastline. Nearly 33,000 commercial fishermen, cannery workers, Alaska Natives and others were economically harmed by the spill.
In the wake of the Exxon Valdez spill, Congress passed legislation mandating the use of double-hull tankers on crude oil shipments by 2010.
The bill approved by the committee on Thursday closes a loophole that allowed non-tankers to avoid the double-hull requirement.
The bill, the Oil Spill Prevention Act, would require a double hull or an additional protective layer around the fuel tank on non-tank vessels, create a medical review program for merchant mariners, and require the U.S. Coast Guard to improve its vessel tracking system. It also would require the Coast Guard to conduct a study into the causes of marine accidents.
The legislation now goes to the full Senate.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
Hard to prevent a disaster when you have a known alcoholic Captain at the helm of a super tanker and the arrogance of EXXON to deny responsibility. Justice Delayed is Justice Denied. Nineteen years and still we wait conclusion to this nightmare.
If Congress wants to prevent another EXXON Valdez disaster, they might start with providing relief for the 33,000 victims. And, set a threshold of compensation for damages that TRULY deters, with a time table for restitution that punishes the guilty party with interest far greater than delaying tactics profitability.
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.