Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
Cantwell Statement on Oil Spill in California
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which oversees the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Coast Guard, released the following statement regarding the estimated 126,000 gallons of crude oil that leaked from an underwater pipeline in California:
“Pipelines transporting crude oil must be held to the highest safety standards because when they leak the consequences are devastating to the natural environment and can take decades to clean up. I am closely monitoring the federal investigation into the cause of the oil spill in California, and the federal government’s response and clean up efforts. To shine a light on this and other pipeline safety problems and the impact accidents have on our economy, the Commerce Committee will hold a hearing if necessary to keep those responsible accountable and make sure the pipeline safety enforcement program is working.”
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