The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources conducted a hearing to receive testimony on the liability and financial responsibility issues related to offshore oil production. The committee also considered the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments act of 2010 (S. 3346) to increase the limits on liability under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) testified. Mr. Thomas Perrelli, Department of Justice, testified concerning liability and compensation under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). Mr. David Hayes, Department of the Interior, testified concerning the Department’s outer continental shelf oil and gas development enforcement program. Mr. Craig Bennett, USCG National Pollution Funds Center, testified concerning operation of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF). Mr. Jonathan Ramseur, Congressional Research Service, testified concerning the policy of the liability and compensation provisions of OPA 90. Mr. Rawle King, Congressional Research Service, testified concerning availability of insurance for oil spill liability for offshore facilities. Mr. Robert Meltz, Congressional Research Service, testified concerning issues relating to retroactive provisions in oil spill liability bills that have been introduced in Congress. (5/25/10).
(Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)