Organization InformationNews Releases
Monday, July 26, 2010 - SCA Weekly Round-Up ... 7/23/2010
Jones Act and the Gulf Oil Spill News
Rep. Taylor Defends the Jones Act
In a Dear Colleague written this earlier this week, Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS-4th) defended the Jones Act and clarified that it has not interfered with the clean-up of the Gulf Oil Spill. Congressman Taylor’s letter is available HERE.
Rep. Sanchez Clarifies the Importance on the Jones Act on the House Floor
In a one-minute floor speech before the House yesterday, July 22nd, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA-39th) took the opportunity to remind Members of Congress how critical the Jones Act to the American economy and our national defense.
(Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Ms. LINDA T. SÁNCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Jones Act.
Enacted after World War I, the Jones Act ensures that America's domestic commerce is carried by U.S. vessels built and repaired in U.S. shipyards, and crewed and owned by U.S. citizens.
The Jones Act ensures a ready merchant marine fleet in time of war. And it prevents our economy from being dominated by foreign interests who don't pay American taxes, hire American workers, or even follow American health, safety, and environmental laws.
I would expect all patriotic Americans to support the Jones Act. In the past we have, but recently some in this body have tried to blame the Jones Act for BP's failure to clean up its own mess. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no evidence that the Jones Act has interfered with the cleanup in any way.
We are in a recession. It's time to work together to expand American manufacturing and create jobs, not play partisan games. I urge my colleagues to stop posturing and start supporting American families by supporting the Jones Act.
Drilling Moratorium Could be Based on “Zones of Risk”
OFFSHORE DRILLING: Moratorium could be adjusted to account for varying risks – Salazar
E&E News PM (07/20/2010) Noelle Straub, E&E reporter
E&E News PM (07/20/2010) Noelle Straub, E&E reporter
The Obama administration's temporary ban on new deepwater drilling could be adjusted to account for different types of wells, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said today.
The moratorium, set to last through Nov. 30, could be modified to differentiate between "zones of risk," Salazar told two House Energy and Commerce subcommittees. That could include differences between wells being drilled from production platforms and exploration wells, for which less is known about the conditions, he said.
"That's part of the analysis we currently have under way," Salazar said.
Several Republicans pushed Salazar to rescind the moratorium early, saying it has devastating economic consequences on the Gulf of Mexico region. Two former Interior secretaries, Gale Norton and Dirk Kempthorne, also criticized the moratorium. Norton and Kempthorne served under President George W. Bush.
"You don't ground all of the airplanes because there was one accident," Norton said, adding that companies may move rigs overseas from the Gulf because of the moratorium.
But Salazar said he will only allow new deepwater drilling to resume once he has several important questions answered. Those include assurances that drilling can be done safely and that both containment plans and response equipment are in place.
The Interior Department recently issued a new moratorium to address issues raised about the original ban that was struck down by a federal court. The new moratorium is based not on the water depth of the operations but rather on drilling configurations and technologies.
As for the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Salazar said there is collective responsibility. BP PLC cut corners on the well construction, while Congress and several administrations did not do as much as they could have and were "lulled into a sense of safety."
He also said 445 additional offshore inspectors are needed because it is nearly impossible for the current 60 inspectors to handle 4,000 facilities. "This will not come cheap," he said
Funding for Marine Highways to be Announced Late July
In testimony delivered to the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, MARAD Administration David Matsuda stated that a new program called America’s Marine Highway Grants will be included in a Federal Register before the end of the month. As of now, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 has allocated $7 million for this program.
In testimony delivered to the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, MARAD Administration David Matsuda stated that a new program called America’s Marine Highway Grants will be included in a Federal Register before the end of the month. As of now, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 has allocated $7 million for this program.
