Today, Congresswoman Kathy Castor announced the filing of H.R.6434, the Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Restoration Act of 2010. The Act directs that the bulk of the fines and penalties to be paid by BP for the Deepwater Horizon disaster shall be devoted to the economic and environmental recovery of the Gulf Coast. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor hailed today the clean-energy jobs being created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant initiative. Through this initiative, Hillsborough County has received $7.7 million and today they debuted new solar panels atop the old main courthouse. Read more »

The BP Deepwater Horizon disaster confirmed our worst fears that oil drilling is risky to Florida's economy and environment. Florida jobs, our tourism economy, and fishing industry must be protected from Big Oil's push to elevate profits over safety. Read more »

“This is great news for our hardworking small-business owners and tourism leaders on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Although the Tampa Bay area has had no oil on its beaches, our hotels, restaurants and fishermen have been affected nonetheless. Read more »

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 »