Drilling bill sails through Energy and Commerce after bipartisan pact

The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday approved new oil drilling safeguards in a 48-0 vote that came shortly after members reached a deal that mollified GOP concerns about the plan's scope.

The "Blowout Prevention Act" imposes a suite of new requirements on offshore and onshore wells, such as redundant systems on blowout preventers, third-party certification of the devices, and new well design standards.

The vote followed a deal that alleviated GOP concerns that the bill would encroach on state oversight powers.

A key part of the deal prevents the new rules from applying to wells on state lands unless federal officials determine that a blowout would lead to major harms, and that the state cannot regulate effectively.

It also allows states to challenge such decisions.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), who helped negotiate the deal, praised the measure and the negotiations before the vote.

"It shows that Congress and this committee can work when there are good faith efforts on both sides," said Barton, the panel's top Republican.

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a senior member of the committee, called it a strong response to the BP oil spill.

"Current regulations plainly are not adequate," he said. "The BP Act responds to this gap by establishing minimum standards for well technologies and practices."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) plans to bring bills responding to the BP spill to the floor before the August recess.