Committee approves Curbelo bill addressing liability in foreign oil spills

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved a bill on Wednesday that was introduced by U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) to address liability in foreign oil spills.

The Foreign Spill Protection Act, H.R. 1684, would amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) to ensure that foreign parties are held responsible for all oil spills, not just those that originate in American waters.

“I am proud that our bill, the Foreign Spill Protection Act, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,” Curbelo said. “Currently, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 only applies to spills that originate in American waters. If an oil spill were to occur abroad and reach American waters, the Oil Liability Trust Fund would pay up to $150 million for clean up costs and up to $850 million for claims. American taxpayers would be responsible for any remaining costs.”

Under the bipartisan Foreign Spill Protection Act, the OPA would be amended so that all responsible parties, including foreign offshore units, would be held responsible for cleanup and damage costs that result from oil spills.

U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL) was an original co-sponsor of the bill.

“[Murphy] is a proven leader on environmental issues and has been a strong advocate for this common sense legislation,” Curbelo said. “It’s critical that we protect our oceans and keep those who damage it accountable. I look forward to voting for this bill when it comes to the House floor.”