Operations Continue On The Gulf Waters

Statement

U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10), a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today joined the Coast Guard and other responding agencies for a briefing at the Unified Command Center in Robert, Louisiana and a flyover of the spill area caused by the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. The Committee has scheduled a hearing to review the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico for Wednesday, May 19, at 10:00 am in Washington, D.C.

"Today, I joined the Coast Guard as they conducted a flyover of the spill area in the Gulf of Mexico and received an update on the status of the cofferdam to cap one of the leaking wells and other efforts agencies are putting forth to minimize the damage this massive spill is causing," Miller said. "It was painful to see the amount area this oil has already covered and threaten the fragile environment and economy of so many surrounding states. I commend all of those who have responded to this terrible disaster, and their work to ensure that the clean-up happens in an expedited manner so the area does not experience further harm.

"During the upcoming committee hearing, I want to hear from experts to understand how this could have happened and if all redundant protocols were followed. We also need to discuss other actions that need to be taken to prevent future spills of this magnitude," Miller concluded.

Congresswoman Miller was briefed by the U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry and representatives from British Petroleum, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Source