Washington, DC – Representative Charles Boustany, (R-Southwest Louisiana), today commented on the final report on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and response from the federal Oil Spill Commission.

“This report emphasized safety, something that I have long advocated,” Boustany said. “Most American energy producers have impeccable safety records, and should not be punished for the actions of one.  This disaster has been a wake-up call to ensure that safety is the number one priority, but it should not drastically slow production for months for those producers that play by the rules.  America’s stability depends on our ability to produce energy.”

The report recommended several changes, many of which have been in the works since 2010.  Among the suggestions is an industry-run institute that would serve to monitor safety among energy producers, which Congressman Boustany recommends be based in Louisiana, the center of Gulf of Mexico energy production.  The report also suggests using 80% of Clean Water Act fines from the spill to restore the Gulf of Mexico and its neighboring wetlands.  Before the report was released, the Louisiana delegation introduced the Gulf Coast Restoration Act, which ensures that these Clean Water Act funds are allocated for the restoration of the Gulf and coastal wetlands.  Congressman Boustany was one of the original co-sponsors.

 “Now that the administration has released its report, it is time to act and restore energy producing jobs along the Gulf Coast, while simultaneously restoring our coastal wetlands,” Boustany said. “Producers have and will continue to emphasize safety, so I hope the administration will move faster to increase exploration and production.”

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