U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) announced today that the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO), a research consortium in St. Petersburg, will be Florida’s representative for the Centers of Excellence Research Grants Program, designing the program and administering the fund for the state. FIO will establish competitive grants for Centers of Excellence focusing on science, technology, and monitoring related to Gulf restoration, according to a rule published today by the U.S. Department of Treasury written as part of implementing the RESTORE Act, which passed July 6, 2012 in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster that devastated the Gulf of Mexico.

“This is an important step to ensure we can continue to address the environmental and economic impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “Our economy and environment were hit hard by the BP disaster and we will work to hold BP accountable.  The penalties against BP and other responsible parties will flow in part to USF and other researchers.   The Tampa Bay area and local businesses in tourism, fishing, recreation and wildlife industries all rely upon a healthy and resilient Gulf of Mexico.”

In addition, the rule outlines the grant process, including how states and municipalities apply to receive funding for environmental restoration and economic development projects. Under the interim final rule published today, 35 percent of the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund – established by the RESTORE Act – is divided equally among the five states for ecological and economic restoration. The State of Florida’s allocation goes to 23 coastal counties, including some to Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

“The impacts of the BP oil rig explosion are still lingering in Tampa Bay – although no oil reached our shores, our small businesses suffered and some scientists contend that the damage is still unfolding among our marine life,” U.S. Rep. Castor added. “The rule provides a process for local governments, such Tampa and Pinellas beaches, to apply for funding to support restoration projects that benefit our environment and economy.”

In addition to the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund, the RESTORE Act established the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to develop and implement a Comprehensive Plan that would protect and revitalize the Gulf Coast region’s ecosystem and economy.  Today’s rule also outlines the process for Florida to submit its component of the plan.

U.S. Rep. Castor has been a staunch supporter of holding BP accountable and the economic recovery of businesses impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the worst environmental disaster America has faced.  Immediately following the disaster in 2010, she helped to secure $10 million from BP to fund a rapid research response by FIO and urged BP to provide samples of its oil that were necessary for USF research. U.S. Rep. Castor also successfully championed to have the RESTORE Act direct 80 percent of fines and penalties paid by BP for violations of the Clean Water Act to restoring the Gulf Coast.

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