See How Your Politicians Voted
Title: Ending Moratorium on Deepwater Drilling Rigs that Meet Certain Safety Standards
Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to adopt an amendment to HR 3534 that exempts applicants for a permit to drill from the moratorium against deepwater drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf if the Secretary of the Interior determines that they meet specific safety requirements.
Highlights:
- Exempts applicants for a permit to drill from the moratorium against drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf if the Secretary of the Interior determines that the applicant has complied with the following (Sec. 231):
- The following notices handed down by the Minerals Management Service:
- "National Notice to Lessees and Operators of Federal Oil and Gas Leases, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)," dated June 8, 2010 (NTL No. 2010-N05); and "National Notice to Lessees and Operators of Federal Oil and Gas Leases, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)," dated June 18, 2010 (NTL No. 2010-N06);
- Additional safety measures recommended by the Secretary; and
- All required safety inspections.
- Requires the Secretary of the Interior to determine whether to issue a permit to an applicant within 30 days of making a determination that an applicant meets the aforementioned requirements (Sec. 231).
- Prohibits federal agencies from suspending the active consideration of, or preparatory work for, permits required to resume or advance activities suspended in connection with the moratorium (Sec. 231).