Louisiana Congressman Introduces Legislation to Improve Safety of Offshore Drilling Workers

Press Release

As the one-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy approaches, Congressman Jeff Landry (Republican, LA-03) introduced legislation aimed to improve the safety of offshore drilling workers. H.R. 1572 -- the "Offshore Installation Emergency Evacuation Act" -- would require a standby vessel to be stationed within 12 miles of offshore drilling installations.

"As we pause to reflect on the 11 lives lost last year, we take the time to see that changes must be made to promote the safety of the men and women on the offshore platforms," said Landry. "As the representative for our oil and gas workers, it is my duty to make sure they come home safely to their families after spending weeks in the Gulf working to provide the energy our nation needs to create jobs."

"As I have said many times before, the most valuable resource in the Gulf of Mexico is not the oil and gas underneath the Gulf; it is the men and women who are willing to risk their lives to extract America's energy," continued Landry. "The Offshore Installation Emergency Evacuation Act will guarantee that every man who commits his life extracting our nation's energy is met by an equal commitment that, no matter what might happen on the rig, a vessel will be waiting to safely take him home."

Landry -- the House's leading proponent of domestic oil and gas drilling -- cited similar legislation was introduced in the 1980's but was strongly opposed by some oil companies. "My former Congressman Billy Tauzin introduced a similar bill in the past. Coincidentally or not, his bill faced strong opposition from Arco -- a BP subsidiary. I hope this time, BP and my colleagues in the House will give it an open and transparent debate, and I hope we can get it through both Houses quickly."

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