CRIST CALLS ON FEDERAL AGENCIES TO PREVENT THE NEXT DEEPWATER HORIZONReports surface that industry turning to unsafe storage options to address oil supply glut
Washington, DC,
April 21, 2020
St. Petersburg, FL – U.S. Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) sent letters to the heads of Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, calling on them to do everything within their power to require the safe storage of oil and gas surpluses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports are surfacing that due to the weak demand and large supply of oil, producers are turning to unsafe practices to store the current oversupply, heightening the risk of an environmental disaster.
Calling on his experience as Governor of Florida during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Crist requests information on plans to maintain strict oversight of safety requirements for the storage of crude oil. The letter also inquires whether the agencies will set limits on leasing, extraction, and production of crude during the downturn in demand caused by the COVD-19 outbreak. “Our coastal communities, economy, and beautiful blue and green spaces cannot endure another Deepwater Horizon catastrophe,” said Rep. Crist. “This week, as we commemorate the 10 year anniversary of the largest oil spill in the history of our nation, we must vow to not let the mistakes of our past repeat themselves. With oversupply of oil and rapidly dwindling safe storage options, companies may wish to cut corners and put people and the environment at risk. Let me be clear. Pipelines and tankers were not designed to store excess oil supply, and the American people are counting on federal regulators to hold oil companies accountable by enforcing the highest possible safety standards.” The letter to the Department of Energy can be found here. The letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration can be found here. April 21, 2020 The Honorable David Bernhardt Dear Secretary Bernhardt, This week marks the 10 year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion that killed 11 workers and set off the largest oil spill in American history. Oil gushed from the seafloor for 87 agonizing days, spewing more than 200 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. I was Governor of Florida at the time. I watched in helpless horror as tar balls washed up along our pristine beaches, tens of thousands of marine animals drowned in oil, and families and small businesses along our coast lost everything. Ten years later, we’re still rebuilding our environment and economy – and we still don’t know the full extent of the damage. The recovery along the Gulf Coast is fragile. Another accident could shatter the progress that has been made. This fragility is heightened by the current economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to necessary efforts to flatten the curve, demand for oil and gas has plummeted even though production remains high – leading to excessive and unneeded crude that has nowhere to go. There are reports that storage tanks are filling up quickly, leaving few options for storing excess crude. I fear that the industry may be forced to turn to less safe, non-traditional storage options such as tankers and pipelines – a risky endeavor, particularly as we approach hurricane season. It is imperative that the Department of Interior do everything it can to maintain safe storage requirements and prevent another Deepwater Horizon from occurring. Please provide answers to the following questions:
Deepwater Horizon showed us the high cost of negligence in the name of economy prosperity. The numbers are astounding: 11 lives lost, nearly $1 billion in losses for the seafood industry, and more than $500 million in losses for outdoor recreation, just to name a few. We can’t risk another Deepwater Horizon, especially in light of the current economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Interior must take all necessary steps to protect our communities, workers, and environment from a preventable tragedy. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am also raising these concerns with the Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. I look forward to receiving your response. Sincerely, Charlie Crist |
