Oil spills

Menendez has led efforts in the Senate to defeat plans that would open up drilling less than 100 miles from New Jersey

May 9, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John McCain will be in New Jersey for a press conference on the topic of the environment. While he is in the state, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is challenging him to denounce a plan that would open up drilling for oil and natural gas less than 100 miles from the Jersey Shore.    » read more »

Legislation would mandate that the Coast Guard intervene during adverse conditions; Require double hulls for all large cargo ships

April 10, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced legislation to prevent oil spills like the November 2007 Cosco Busan incident, when a 900-foot cargo ship crashed into Bay Bridge and spilled more than 53,000 tons of toxic bunker fuel into the San Francisco Bay.

A sea bird killed by the Cosco Busan oil spill: Photo by Dave Patten (CC)    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – This morning, Speaker Nancy Pelosi participated in a Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation hearing on the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General investigation into the Cosco Busan oil spill. Speaking on the importance of the Bay, Pelosi said: “For our community the San Francisco Bay is a value system as well as an ecosystem.” Pelosi submitted the following statement in the record:    » read more »

MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2008, WASHINGTON — John Joseph Cota, the pilot of the Cosco Busan, the 65,131-ton container ship that collided with the San Francisco Bay Bridge resulting in the discharge of approximately 58,000 gallons of oil, was charged today with violations of the Clean Water Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, announced Ronald J. Tenpas, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division and Joseph P. Russoniello, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California.    » read more »

Defeat of amendment is environmental, economic victory for NJ

March 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Today, during the Senate debate on the nation’s budget, U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Bob Menendez helped beat back a threat to the environment and economy of the Jersey Shore. The New Jersey Senators helped lead the effort to defeat an amendment offered by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) that would have paved the way for drilling off the coast of Virginia, which includes areas less than 100 miles from the Jersey Shore – close enough for spills to affect New Jersey beaches.    » read more »

March 10, 2008 -- (AUGUSTA)— The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is cautioning home owners to check the condition of their outside heating oil tanks following a number of spills statewide. Falling ice from roofs and snow compaction around outdoor heating oil tanks can sever lines and break off filters causing costly spills. A broken off filter or severed fuel line can empty the entire contents of the tank.    » read more »

As Valdez Oil Spill is Considered in Supreme Court, N.J. Sen.'s New Bills Would Modernize Fuel Tanks, Tracking, Help Prevent Spills

March 4, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Frank R, Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chair of the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced legislation to better protect America’s shores—and its economy—from the deadly and toxic effects of oil spills.    » read more »