A new bill in Congress would hold foreign companies accountable for the costs of potential oil spills in U.S. waters.
Posted Thursday, May 19th, 2016 7:44am by Lori James
(Washington, DC) -- A new bill in Congress would hold foreign companies accountable for the costs of potential oil spills in U.S. waters.
Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced the Foreign Spill Protection Act of 2016 on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
Currently, those responsible for oil spills can be fined up to a billion dollars for pollution from foreign territory that affects U.S. waters.
Murkowski's amendment would make foreign entities responsible for all claims arising from water pollution. Murkowski says the bill is needed as shipping in the Arctic increases.
Congressman Don Young (R-AK) supported companion legislation in the House of Representatives.