Nick Rahall: “Mr. Chairman, the amendment incorporates a number of constructive proposals from my colleagues which I believe…”

“Mr. Chairman, the amendment incorporates a number of constructive proposals from my colleagues which I believe significantly improve the CLEAR Act. Some of these proposals affect the provisions of the bill under our Natural Resources Committee's jurisdiction while others address the title of the bill that was added by Chairman Oberstar's T&I Committee. In addition to a number of technical changes, this amendment also contains language that will improve the management of the new training academy for oil and gas inspectors that has been established in this bill. It holds CEOs more accountable for the actions of their companies. It ensures that, even when you spill the public's oil, you still pay the royalties that are due to the American people, and it also leads to a more accurate collection of royalties for natural gas. This amendment also studies the issue of potentially requiring relief wells to be drilled at the same time as the primary well. These are noncontroversial, good government, and good policy provisions. I urge my colleagues to support them.”