|
 |
 |
|
House votes to direct 80 percent of Deepwater Horizon fines to Gulf states
The House on Thursday afternoon approved an amendment that would require 80 percent of all fines assessed against BP for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill be directed to a Gulf coast restoration fund.
The amendment from Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) was attached to an energy bill that the House was expected to pass later Thursday night, H.R. 3408. It was approved by voice vote.
The Obama administration and most members of Congress agree that 80 percent of the BP fine should go toward the Gulf Coast for environmental restoration, but Congress was expected to act on this consensus. BP fines could be as high as $25 billion for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The other, from Rep. Raul Labrador (R-Idaho), would minimize National Environmental Policy act requirements for a geothermal exploration test project so a project can quickly move forward if resources are found, and it passed 244-177.
Other amendments that failed or were withdrawn were from:
Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), to clarify that the bill does not allow oil and gas drilling on the northern coast of California. Failed 267-253.
Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii), to require offshore oil and gas leases to have specific safety requirements. Failed 189-228.
Ed Markey (D-Mass.), to prohibit the export of any natural gas produced from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Failed 168-254.
Markey, to require companies holding Clinton-era royalty relief leases, which lets them drill on public lands offshore without paying a royalty, to renegotiate those leases before they can bid on new leases. Failed 183-238.
Rush Holt (D-NJ), to affirm that nothing in the bill will affect funds available to deposit in the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Withdrawn.
Most Viewed RSS Feed »
