REP. ANDREWS CO-SPONSORS BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROTECT THE DELAWARE RIVER FROM FUTURE OIL SPILLS: BILL TARGETS RIVER SAFETY AND ALLOCATES FUNDING TO CLEAN UP DEBRIS

To prevent future oil spills like the one that occurred in the Delaware River on November 26, 2004, I joined U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo in co-sponsoring H.R. 1412, the Delaware River Protection Act. As you recall, the recent oil spill resulted after a tanker hit a submerged object in the Delaware River which released an estimated 265,000 gallons of oil into the river.

As a result, the oil spill caused extensive damage to the Delaware River and our shoreline, leaving safety, environmental and economic consequences to be resolved. I am pleased to announce that this legislation creates the measures needed to prevent future oil spills not only in our Delaware River, but across the country.

First, it requires anyone who loses or deposits large objects in navigable waterways to immediately notify the U.S. Coast Guard. Those individuals who fail to promptly notify the Coast Guard will be subject to civil and criminal penalties. Secondly, the legislation provides an appropriation of $5 million dollars through the 2008 fiscal year to assist the Army Corps of Engineers in cleaning up such abundant river debris. To encourage the use of double hill tankers, this legislation increases liability limits on owners of single hull tankers that spill oil. Unfortunately, the tanker that spilled the oil into the Delaware River lacked the second protective hull.

Finally, the bill establishes the formation of a new Delaware River and Bay Oil Spill Advisory Committee. The Committee’s primary role will be to investigate and approve an efficient response plan should the river encounter any future accidents. The November 2004 oil spill was one of many that have added to the current condition of the River. I believe that this legislation is crucial to prevent future oil spills from occurring. However, in the event that another oil spill occurs, the Delaware River Protection Act will provide more efficient and a better executed response to protect and preserve the Delaware River and our extensive shoreline.

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