Washington, DC – Following President Obama’s Oval Office address on the BP oil catastrophe that continues to unfold in the Gulf of Mexico, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore) issued the following statement:

“I welcome President Obama’s strong remarks that not only will BP be held accountable for its reckless operations, but we must put America on the path to a clean energy future.

“The gruesome images of the nation’s greatest environmental catastrophe make clear what is at stake when we drill, baby, drill. Congress must act to ensure that BP pays, that the liability limits are lifted, that safer standards are put in place, and that a disaster like the Deepwater Horizon never happens again.

“Whether from the Gulf of Mexico or Persian Gulf, we cannot meet our nation’s energy needs by drilling. We are at a precipice, and Congress must pass legislation that arms the nation with energy that won’t spill, won’t run out, and won’t destroy economies.

“Instead of drilling miles below the earth, we must improve the way we use our energy and provide people with more transportation options that require less fuel. We must also harness energy that comes from the power of the sun, wind, heat of the earth, and strength of the coastal tides.

“I hope that those who have stood for too long on the side of Big Oil heed President Obama’s call and finally put America on the path to a future powered by clean, renewable, and homegrown energy.”