Request Comes in Response to Administration’s Failure to Incorporate the Latest Science Regarding the Use of Chemical Dispersants in Responding to Oil Spills
Energy and Commerce Chairman
"We write to request that GAO investigate the federal government's oil spill response capabilities, including the use of chemical dispersants and efforts to incorporate lessons learned from the response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill," wrote Pallone, DeGette and Tonko. "
The request comes after the
"Based in part on considerations learned from the Deepwater Horizon response, in 2015,
Their letter requests that GAO address a number of specific questions in their investigation, including what federal agencies like
The full text of the letter can be found below. A PDF of the letter is available here https://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/08052019%20GAO%20letter%20re%20oil%20spill%20response.pdf.
The Honorable
Comptroller General of
Dear Comptroller
We write to request that the
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was the largest oil spill in
In
Based in part on considerations learned from the Deepwater Horizon response, in 2015,
We request that GAO review what actions federal agencies have taken to incorporate the latest science and lessons learned on the use of dispersants for oil spill planning and response, and specifically address the following questions:
1. What is known about the efficacy of using dispersants and their effects on human health and the environment, and specifically:
1. To what extent have federal agencies conducted studies on the effective and safe use of dispersants, and, in particular, long-term studies of the residual effects of the use of dispersants on the environment and human health, as well as studies of the impacts of rising ocean temperatures on dispersant efficacy and risks;
2. If studies have been conducted, what did they find; and
3. What research gaps remain, if any, in the federal agencies' understanding of the use of dispersants to address offshore oil spills?
2. To what extent have federal agencies, such as
1. How have agencies integrated this information and research?
2. What gaps remain in agency response planning protocols, policies, and regulations with regard to the efficacy and use of dispersants?
3. What challenges or limitations exist that could prevent or undermine agencies' ability to incorporate lessons learned and the latest research on dispersants, if any?
Thank you for your attention to this request. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact
Sincerely,
Chairman
Chair, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Chairman, Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4] GAO, Oil Dispersants: Additional Research Needed, Particularly on Subsurface and Arctic Applications (
[5]
[6] GAO, Oil Dispersants: Additional Research Needed, Particularly on Subsurface and Arctic Applications (
[7] Id. at 39-40.
[8] GAO, Offshore Oil Spills: Restoration and Federal Research Efforts Continue, but Opportunities to Improve Coordination Remain (
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14] Briefing by
Read this original document at: https://energycommerce.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ec-leaders-request-investigation-into-trump-administration-s-failure-to
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