Key Vote: Well Control Amendment
Vote h444-2016
The House will soon vote on the FY 2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. The underlying legislation is a step forward and includes several promising policy provisions. One amendment, offered by Rep. Boustany, will further improve the bill by blocking funds from being used to implement the Administration’s proposed offshore well control rule.The American Energy Alliance supports this measure and urges all Representatives vote YES.
In April 2015, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) published aproposed rule imposing new regulations on the offshore drilling industry. The rule is very complicated and many policymakers, industry specialists, and others directly impacted by the rule are still trying to determine how and if it could be implemented.
This complexity has made evaluation difficult. However, analyses thus far suggest massive costs imposed by this rule. Wood Mackenzie estimated a cumulative GDP reduction of $260-$390 billion and roughly $70 billion in lost federal revenue through 2030. Most importantly, the rule could destroy up to 190,000 jobs by 2030.
API determined that the rule “ultimately could increase risk and decrease safety.” The group indicates the rule prescribes a one size fits all mentality, is far too rigid in its technical aspects, and imposes unnecessary and potentially detrimental administrative and bureaucratic requirements. Ultimately, the rule could actually “increase risk of harm to personnel and negatively impact the environment.”
The oil and gas industry shares the goal of the BSEE in increasing safety and protecting the environment. To that end, the proposed well control rule imposes significant hardship and dramatically higher costs. At the end of the day, innovation and private investment have yielded significant advancements in productivity and safety in offshore resources development. This trend will continue as long as Americans are allowed to experiment and improve. The well control rule will stifle industry development. Rep. Boustany’s amendment will ensure continued improvements in oil and gas safety and environmental stewardship, and all Representatives are strongly encouraged to vote YES on the amendment.
AEA Position: Yes
Agreed to
(234 to 195)
- Voted Yes
- Voted No
- Did Not Vote
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