Rep. Engel - Drill, Baby, Drill Proves to be Faulty Policy

Statement

The following is a statement from Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) regarding Wednesday's hearing held by the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the causes of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. BP America, Transocean Ltd and Halliburton all sent representatives to answer questions. To view Rep. Engel's questioning, check here -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQt1oxFMn74

"After listening to the drumbeat for the last few years of "Drill, Baby, Drill' coming from industry, Republican politicians and certain media personalities, we now have ""Clean, Baby, Clean." Because that is what the Gulf Coast needs now, after one of those drills failed and began spewing forth millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf. After repeatedly being told that drilling was safe, that there are numerous safeguards in place that would prevent another Exxon Valdez from happening, it seems that the drumbeat lacked rhythm. The answers today made it perfectly clear to me that the companies failed to prepare for the worst case scenario, and turned this well into an environmental time bomb. This disaster was preventable and steps must be taken to prevent a similar environmental catastrophe. The spill is destroying livelihoods for countless people in the region, and is hindering efforts to develop both the region's and the nation's economy.

"Now, as a result of poorly-maintained equipment and inadequate failsafe procedures, the American people will once again be forced to clean up the mess of careless corporations and their mouthpieces in Washington and in the media. "Drill, Baby, Drill' is not, never has been, and never will be the answer to our energy and climate crises.

"The best way to ensure both energy independence and long-term job creation, while preventing catastrophic ecologic disasters such as this one, is for the Senate to follow the House's lead and pass comprehensive energy policy reform. I applaud Sens. Kerry and Liebermann for finally unveiling their energy bill and I look forward to seeing what the Senate does with it in the coming weeks.

"It is an undeniable truth that we must eventually make fuel from renewable resources that do not come with strings attached, such as ecological disasters or the funding of our enemies' treasuries. I refer back to what President Obama once said, that America needs to move "from an economy that runs of fossil fuels and foreign oil, to one that relies more on homegrown fuels and clean energy.'

"Never before has this been more apparent than now, as we watch a tidal wave of oil make its way on to our Southern coasts."

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