Gillibrand, Cardin bill would force offshore drillers to swear off Iranian ties

Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) are floating legislation that would require oil-and-gas companies seeking drilling permits in U.S. waters to certify that they’re not running afoul of sanctions against Iran.

“Despite strong bipartisan sanctions that were passed against the Iranian regime this summer, the Iranian government has actively sought to avoid these sanctions through joint ventures and partnerships with foreign companies, and investing in energy projects in Europe and Asia,” Cardin said in a prepared statement Tuesday.

“To shine a spotlight on those companies working with Iran to circumvent these sanctions, this new legislation would require companies that apply for drilling permits in U.S. federal waters to certify that they do not engage in any illegal activity in Iran, and to disclose any partnership with a company designated by the Treasury Department as a supporter of terrorism or a ‘proliferator of Weapons of Mass Destruction,’” states a description of the measure from Cardin’s office.

Both sponsors are members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They introduced the bill Tuesday.