Language requiring stand-by vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, inserted into the U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill by Congressman Jeff Landry has been stripped, thanks to the efforts of Congressman Charles Boustany, who faces Landry in a runoff Saturday.
In his just-posted column, LOGA President Don Briggs thanks Boustany and other House leadership for opposing the controversial and costly measure and working to remove it from the bill.
“The amendment demanded that stand-by vessels be positioned within three miles of every manned oil and gas platform facility in the Gulf of Mexico,” Briggs writes. "Landry’s amendment is not only bad for the industry, but it is unnecessary."
The LOGA chief, who argues that adequate safety measures are already in place, says the oil and gas industry projected that an additional 150-200 vessels would be needed to meet the stand-by language requirements. More vessels obviously mean more personnel to operate the boats, he writes.
Obie O’Brien, vice president of Apache Corporation, said Landry's amendment “would require capital investment of tens of millions of dollars to ensure compliance.”
Briggs says Boustany is encouraging the U.S. Senate to quickly pass the bill in its current form so the president can sign it into law as soon as possible.
Read the column here.
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