Harley Rouda: “The Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act requires existing offshore oil and gas operations to undergo inspections…”

“The Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act requires existing offshore oil and gas operations to undergo inspections and make payments into the Ocean Energy Safety Fund. My amendment would make this information available to the public. The Trump administration's 2018 proposed opening of more than 90 percent of U.S. Federal waters to offshore oil could endanger at least 42,000 miles of our Atlantic and Pacific coasts to the extreme risks posed by offshore drilling and spilling. I came to Congress to advocate on behalf of the people living in my coastal district. The American people have a vested interest in the health of their environment and the wealth of their local communities. It is essential that the public is aware of the companies who are extracting oil from our shores so that we can hold them accountable in the event of a disaster or an accident. Offshore drilling impacts more than just coastal communities; it impacts future generations of Americans. Transparency is a key democratic principle. Citizens deserve to know which companies are drilling off our shores, the location of their facilities, and the safety and state of their operations. In Orange County, this critical legislation helps make sure generations can come and continue to sail Newport Harbor, become junior lifeguards, surf the Wedge, catch halibut, and enjoy our pristine breaches.…”