Too many of America’s coastal communities have been impacted by oil spills.  These spills have both environmental and economic consequences.  I have been working to reduce the number of incidences and the consequences of spills, and I am pleased to let you know that I recently joined in introducing legislation to modernize and make safer ships that carry fuel.

The Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2008, S.2699, would require double hulls on bunker fuel tanks on non-tank vessels, strengthen the Coast Guard medical review process for licensing pilots and merchant mariners, direct the Coast Guard to make improvements to its vessel tracking system to prevent navigational errors and accidents, and phase out federal liability limits for oil spills from single-hull tanker ships.

In light of the devastation caused by the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska in 1989, the recent spill in the Bay Area caused by the Cosco Busan, and countless other spills, it is time that ships be modernized and other changes be made to ensure that our coasts are not violated by oil spills.  This legislation is a step in the right direction, and I will be working with my Senate colleagues to enact it.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator