Congress: Act Now to Restore and Protect the Gulf Coast
- par: Sierra Club
- destinataire: President Barack Obama and U.S. Congress
On January 11th, the Oil Spill Commission released a devastating report on the BP oil disaster, which concluded that systemic failures throughout the oil industry mean that a similar catastrophe "might well recur."
We already knew this.
But with the one year anniversary of the BP oil disaster approaching in April, Gulf Coast communities are still waiting for action from Congress.
Tell Congress that Gulf Coast communities cannot wait any longer -- it's time for action to restore the Gulf Coast and prevent future oil disasters on our shores.
Dear Mr. President, Senators and Representative,
With the one year anniversary of the BP oil disaster approaching in April, Gulf Coast communities are still waiting for action from Congress. I am grateful for the work the National Oil Spill Commission and its staff did to recommend a plan for action that includes many elements supported by environmental and community groups, now Congress must implement it.
In particular, the establishment of a Gulf of Mexico Regional Citizens Advisory Council will give Gulf Coast residents a voice in oil industry decisions. Directing that 80 percent of Clean Water Act fines from the BP disaster must be used for ecological restoration in the Gulf Coast, where a Public Advisory Committee will have a say in their use, will ensure that affected communities have the resources and input necessary for restoration. Last, regulatory reforms that increase environmental and safety protections, while also strengthening industry accountability and emergency preparedness, are essential to prevent future oil drilling disasters on U.S. coasts.
[Your comments]
I urge you to act quickly on the Oil Spill Commission's recommendations to both support necessary restoration in the Gulf Coast and to protect our shores from Big Oil negligence.
