CONGRESSMAN LIEU STATEMENT ON MATCH BETWEEN SANTA BARBARA OIL SPILL AND OIL SAMPLE FROM MANHATTAN BEACH/ SOUTH BAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2015
CONTACT:Jack d'Annibale | 202-330-1613
Los Angeles - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles) released the following statement following the news that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has found a match between one sample from the Refugio/Santa Barbara oil spill and a tar ball from the Manhattan Beach/South Bay incident.
"Today, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed that oil washing up on South Bay beaches last month was the result of the Refugio/Santa Barbara oil spill. This news underscores how dangerous oil spills are to our precious coastline. That's why I am firmly against coastline drilling, whether it's in Hermosa Beach or in the Arctic. Any oil spill underscores the need for America to abandon the dirty, destructive fuels of the 18th century and invest in clean 21st century energy solutions. It is my expectation that Plains All American Pipeline – the party responsible for both incidents – will pay for any cleanup costs and penalties stemming from these oil spills. If Plains All American Pipeline wavers in any way, I will look into ways to ensure that they accept responsibility for the cleanup cost. These spills also further underscore the importance of companies to continue to pay into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. I will continue to work closely with both the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Coast Guard to monitor this ongoing situation."
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