Adjust Text Size
Media Center

Media Center

Rep. Edward J. Markey, Chairman - Stay Connected with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and RSS Feeds
The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming addressed our nation's energy, economic and national security challenges during the 110th and 111th Congresses.

This is an archived version of the committee's website, where the public, students and the media can continue to access and learn from our work.

Markey Statement on Moratorium Decision

(June 22, 2010) – Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, released the following statement on the decision of a federal judge to allow 33 offshore drilling rigs to continue drilling before proper safety measures are put in place:

"This is another bad decision in a disaster riddled with bad decisions by the oil industry. The only thing worse than one oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico would be two oil spill disasters.

"This judge’s decision flies in the face of mounting evidence that there are serious safety risks that must be examined with these 33 deepwater rigs before they start drilling again.

"Ninety-seven percent of the manned rigs in the Gulf of Mexico are up and running. No one is realistically talking about shutting down offshore drilling in the Gulf.

"We would be doing the oil rig workers and citizens of the Gulf a disservice if we did not put safety first with these few rigs. The Obama administration is right to appeal, and I fully support that effort."

# # #

PLEASE NOTE: The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was created to explore American clean energy solutions that end our reliance on foreign oil and reduce carbon pollution.

The Select Committee was active during the 110th and 111th Congresses. This is an archived version of the website, to ensure that the public has ongoing access to the Select Committee record. This website, including external links, will not be updated after Jan. 3rd, 2010.

Return to Press Releases »

Add to your del.icio.us del.icio.us   Digg this story Digg this   Reddit Reddit   Stumble it Stumbleupon  


 Print This Page