WASHINGTON – Congressman Rangel praised the passage of two oil spill bills that seek to overhaul offshore drilling regulations and extend whistleblower protections to oil and gas workers on the outer continental shelf.
“In the wake of the BP debacle, these bills ensure that a spill of this kind must not happen again. The disaster in the Gulf threatened our shores and destroyed our way of life," said Congressman Rangel.
The updated CLEAR Act includes strong new safety measures, restores the Gulf Coast, protects local residents and taxpayers, reforms the agency charged with overseeing oil drilling, and holds the oil industry responsible for cleanup costs and recovery.
“This new measure will strengthen our national security by restoring our environment and the health of our natural resources, and reduce our deficit by more than $5 billion in the next five years, and up to $50 billion over the next 25 years," Rangel said.
Targeted to effective prevention and response to oil spills and protection of our coastal communities and waters, the CLEAR Act (H.R. 3534):
- Contains strong new safety measures, including independent certification of critical equipment
- Holds BP and oil industry fully responsible for cleanup costs and recovery after spills – removing the $75 million cap on economic damages to be paid by Big Oil to families and small businesses
- Strengthens oversight of oil drilling by dismantling the current scandal ridden agency in charge
- Restores the Gulf Coast and protects local residents and
- Provides long overdue taxpayer protections, making oil companies pay their fair share for drilling on public lands
The other piece of this package – the Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act – protects industry workers who put the people’s interest first, speak up, and inform state and federal government authorities of violations or practices that endanger the public.
"Workers on the Deepwater Horizon had serious safety concerns prior to the explosion, but couldn't come forward for the fear of losing their jobs. Their reluctance, in part, led to unfortunate deaths of 11 Americans and one of the worst oil spills in our history," said Congressman Rangel.
"It's for everyone's safety that we provide whistleblower protections to workers regarding Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas exploration, drilling, production, or cleanup, whose employers are engaged in those activities – as they are best position to discover safety hazards," he added.
Modeled after other modern whistleblower statutes, the Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act (H.R. 5851) will:
• Prohibit an employer from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee who reports to the employer or government official that he or she reasonably believes the employer is violating the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).
- Protect employees who prepare and/or testify about the alleged violation, report injuries or unsafe conditions related to the offshore work, refuse to work based on a good faith belief that the offshore work could cause injury or impairment or a spill, or refuse to perform in a manner that they believe violates the OCSLA.
- Establish a process for an employee to appeal an employer’s retaliation by filing a complaint with the Secretary of Labor.
- Make an aggrieved employee eligible for reinstatement, back pay and compensatory and consequential damages, and, where appropriate, exemplary damages.
- Require employers post a notice that explains employee rights and remedies under this Act and provide training to the employees of these rights.
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