One year ago an explosion ripped through the Deepwater Horizon oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico--devastating countless lives and an entire ecosystem. Today, big oil companies involved in the disaster are exploiting legal loopholes to get off the hook for the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has introduced legislation to close these loopholes and make Big Oil pay for their mess. But we need to act quickly while the national spotlight is focused on the Gulf Spill anniversary.
We know the companies who owned and constructed the sunken Deepwater Horizon rig, including Transocean and Halliburton, cut corners. They bear responsibility for last year's tragedy, but current law makes it cost-effective for them to play fast and loose with safety.
Tell the Senate we can't let Big Oil off the hook for the Gulf Oil Spill. It's time they pay for the harm they've caused our families and our planet.
Senator,
One year ago today, an explosion ripped through the Deepwater Horizon oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico--devastating countless lives and an entire ecosystem.
[Your comments will be added here] Today, big oil companies involved in the disaster are exploiting legal loopholes in an effort to get off the hook for the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has introduced legislation to ensure the companies responsible for the Gulf Oil Spill take responsibility for their mess.
The
Oil Spill Victims Redress Act will ensure that all companies implicated in an oil spill--not just the company operating the well--are on the hook to compensate victims and their families.
The
Maritime Liability Fairness Act will reverse the Supreme Court's decision on the Exxon Valdez spill, which severely limits BP's liability. In fact, the Supreme Court decision slashed Exxon's punitive damages by 90%...making it cost-effective to play fast and loose with safety.
In the big picture, this isn't just about getting justice for the people these oil companies harmed in 2010. This is about our energy future. This is about our economy.
We'll never move beyond oil until we stop rewarding oil companies with ridiculous taxpayer subsidies, and start making them pay for the harm they cause our families and our planet.
Please, as we mark the one-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Rig disaster, pass this legislation and finally fix the law to hold Big Oil accountable.
