A bill proposed by Congresswoman Kathy Castor would direct the bulk of the penalties to be paid by BP for the Deepwater Horizon disaster to the economic and environmental recovery of the Gulf Coast. That is in line with a recommendation made today by the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, co-chaired by former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham of Florida. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor recently filed legislation essential to Florida and other states impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Tampa Democrat's bill, if passed, would see to it that most of the money expected to be paid out by BP in fines and penalties would go to Gulf Coast states and not be diverted to other parts of the country. Read more »

Congresswoman Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding the White House’s announcement that no new drilling will be allowed in the eastern Gulf of Mexico for at least the next seven years: Read more »

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 »