Lois Capps: “I have no additional speakers. I am prepared to close. In closing, I would like to reiterate two points. First, that oil…”

“I have no additional speakers. I am prepared to close. In closing, I would like to reiterate two points. First, that oil and gas exploration is inherently dangerous, there is no disputing that. Spills do happen. Unfortunately, my district observed these consequences firsthand during the Plains pipeline spill just over a month ago. Second, if we are going to continue to extract, to transport, and to utilize oil, we need to be prepared for the inevitability of these spills. The EPA's inland oil spill program is intended for just this purpose, to be prepared to respond to the inevitable. It is irresponsible to develop new oil extraction, including offshore, without being prepared to respond to its risk. Mr. Chairman, I urge support for this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”