Williams’ Legislation in Response to Refugio Oil Spill Clears Senate Committee

From:  Noozhawk

SOURCE: LOURDES JIMENEZ FOR ASSEMBLYMAN DAS WILLIAMS

Less than a month after Assemblyman Das Williams, D-Carpinteria, chair of Natural Resources Committee, held an oversight hearing to examine the recent Refugio oil spill, legislation he introduced in response to the incident passed out of Senate Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday.

Assembly Bill 864 is now headed to Senate Appropriations Committee. A hearing date in this committee has not been set.

“It was clear during the recent oversight hearing that the defective pipeline was not equipped with leak detection technology and automatic shut-off valves,” Williams said. “There is always tremendous risk to areas surrounding offshore and onshore coastal drilling. The law should reflect this truth by requiring operators to take every precaution available and use the best achievable technology when drilling.”  MORE