Quigley Marks 2nd Anniversary of BP Gulf Coast Oil Spill & Earth Day

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement marking the second anniversary of the BP Horizon deepwater oil spill and Earth Day, which is this Sunday, April 22.

"Two years ago, the BP oil spill unleashed the largest environmental disaster in our nation's history, with ecological and economic damage still felt today. As recovery continues, we must reduce our dependency on oil, stop providing handouts to the big oil companies who exploit us, and become better stewards of our environment. As we celebrate Earth Day this weekend, we should remember that not only can government take big steps like investing in clean energy, but we can also help protect our planet from the ground up by cleaning and greening our local communities."

Rep. Quigley is serving his second term in the House of Representatives, where he has been a stalwart supporter of environmental protection and oil dependency reduction. He has consistently worked to protect America's coastlines and has offered legislation that would ensure any new off-shore drilling prioritizes environmental protection over speedy and dangerous extraction. In March, he spoke out against rising gas prices and the cost of foreign oil and earlier this year offered an amendment provide greater disclosure and transparency before the construction of oil and gas pipelines. In 2011, Rep. Quigley reiterated his support for strong EPA regulation authority and protection of public health by voting against anti-regulatory, anti-environment legislation.

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