Congresswoman Kathy Castor issued the following statement regarding the release today of the Gulf Coast Restoration Plan. The Gulf Coast Restoration Plan outlines a series of recommendations, including asking Congress to dedicate money from the civil Clean Water Act to the Gulf Coast’s recovery. Under existing law, BP will be fined for every barrel of oil spilled. Read more »

This announcement by the Obama Administration is a good first step. The Interior Department and Minerals Management Service, unfortunately, have historically allowed oil companies to skirt regulations and not file environmental assessments and impact statements, another indication of the too-cozy, revolving door relationship between the regulators and the oil companies. Read more »

The oil disaster legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today will hold the oil industry accountable for disaster cleanup, strengthen oversight of the oil drilling industry, restore the Gulf Coast and eliminate the current $75 million limit on what an oil company can be required to pay small businesses and individuals for losses they incur as a result of an oil disaster. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor has proposed four amendments to the oil disaster response package, which is expected to be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Castor’s amendments focus on ensuring oil drilling remains far from Florida’s coasts; helping our region’s fishermen and small businesses; guaranteeing expert input as the Gulf Coast recovers from the disaster; and protecting the environment in parts of the country where drilling is currently allowed. Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Kathy Castor is demanding stronger action be taken by BP in order to alleviate Florida’s damaged tourism, job market and economic recovery and criticizing BP for its extravagant corporate image advertising campaign. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor today helped pass out of her Energy and Commerce Committee the Blowout Prevention Act, which will strengthen regulation and oversight of well design and safety equipment. The bill will head to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives over the next few weeks. Read more »

The Interior Department hearings have been rightfully postponed. This Interior announcement signals that the Administration’s proposal to permit oil exploration closer to Florida beaches is dead in the wake of the BP oil disaster. Read more »

"BP elevated profits over safety. From the testimony I heard today from Mr. Hayward, I am convinced BP was blinded by profits, much to the detriment of the victims of this disaster Read more »

"President Obama is rightfully concerned about jobs, small businesses and the harm caused to Florida’s improving economy by BP’s oil disaster. BP must bear full financial responsibility for the economic and environmental impact, not our small businesses or taxpayers. Read more »

Florida university researchers will receive $10 million from BP to fund the ongoing academic research into the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster, Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced today. Read more »