[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 109 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE OIL POLLUTION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT 
                                OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2010

  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support 
for H.R. 2693, the Oil Pollution Research and Development Program 
Reauthorization Act of 2010.
  The Deepwater Horizon tragedy has shown that the U.S. preparedness 
for offshore exploration, in relation to technologies to prevent and 
respond to oil spills, is severely lacking.
  Unfortunately, I know first hand how little these technologies have 
improved in the past 41 years, since the 1969 oil spill off of my coast 
in Santa Barbara.
  The tragic loss of 11 lives in the explosion on the BP Deepwater 
Horizon and the resulting environmental damage, underscores the need to 
focus more research on accident prevention and environmental safety.
  H.R. 2693 will make oil and gas drilling safer.
  This bipartisan legislation provides for robust oversight and 
accountability of the interagency research and development program 
established in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
  H.R. 2693 sets up a more efficient federal management structure by 
establishing a multi-agency committee to coordinate research and ensure 
the ongoing development of new technologies and methods to prevent, 
recover and respond to future oil spills.
  We have a responsibility to ensure that the relevant federal agencies 
are equipped with the financial resources needed to effectively respond 
to future oil spills.
  H.R. 2693 increases the funding for a regional research, development 
and demonstration program. I support the increase in funding for this 
program as well as the measure in the bill to authorize $2 million a 
year for the next 4 years for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, NOAA, to conduct oil-spill demonstration projects.
  As long as we extract and transport oil along our coasts, there will 
be the risk of oil spills, and the potential for damage to our coastal 
ecosystems and economies.
  That is why I support H.R. 2693. It allows for better interagency 
coordination and a more robust strategy for responding to and reducing 
the environmental and economic impacts of future oil spills.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in voting yes on H.R. 2693.

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