Congress Authorizes First Ever Independent Study of Nation's Largest Oil Spill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              Contact:

June 27, 2006                                           Andrew Koneschusky (Weiner DC)  202-487-8470

                                                Glen Caplin (Weiner NY)                   917-865-7556

                                                Kate Davis (Velasquez)                      202-225-2361

       

 CONGRESS AUTHORIZES STUDY OF NATION'S LARGEST OIL SPILL

Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives, in a 413 to 0 vote, authorized the first ever independent public health and safety study of Newtown Creek, the site of the nation's largest oil spill.  Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn & Queens) and Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn & Queens) authored and championed legislation requiring the study, which passed as part of the 2006 Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act Conference Report.

With the final legislative hurdle cleared, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to complete the Newtown Creek health and safety study within a year from the date that the President signs it into law.

The 3.5 mile Newtown Creek, a polluted waterway that separates Brooklyn and Queens, is the site of the nation's largest oil spill.  First discovered in 1978, the spill's size was estimated at 17 million gallons, one and a half times larger than Exxon Valdez.  Oil has been found across 55 acres, seeping into the Creek and settling under homes and businesses in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Greenpoint area residents suffer from asthma, emphysema and bronchitis at rates that are 25% higher than the rest of New York City, yet no formal assessment of the public health and safety impacts of Newtown Creek's pollution has ever been performed.

The study will examine any public health and safety issues raised by the spill and the current remediation efforts, the extent to which contaminants from the Creek have dispersed into New York Harbor, the effects on soil and groundwater in the surrounding area, and the effectiveness of current remediation efforts.

In addition to assessing health risks, an independent study is needed now more than ever to provide direction for cleanup activities and to assist pending litigation.

Last week, State environmental officials asked Attorney General Elliott Spitzer to investigate ExxonMobil and to consider bringing legal action against the oil giant to speed up remediation efforts.  Riverkeeper, a New York based environmental advocacy organization, has filed suit against ExxonMobil and Chevron-Texaco claiming that the companies violated the Clean Water Act by discharging oil into the Creek at a point not covered under a consent order with New York State.  Also pending are two class action lawsuits filed on behalf of Greenpoint residents.

"While the oil companies lag in their cleanup responsibilities, the health and safety of Newtown Creek's residents hang in the balance," said Rep. Weiner.  "Thousands of homes and businesses are affected by this terrible oil spill.  The public has the right to know what effects this oil spill is having on our community and local environment."

        "With record profits and surging gas prices, Exxon Mobil is more than capable of expediting the remediation process, thereby reducing further risk to residents in my Congressional district," said Rep. Nydia Velázquez.  "Not only should the spill be cleaned up, but residents must be fully informed of any environmental and health risks this oil spill might have caused through time."

Under federal law, the study of Newtown Creek will be paid for by the big oil companies, who make contributions to the so-called Oil Pollution Compensation Fund for every barrel of oil sold in the United States.

In July 2005, Rep. Weiner offered, and the House Transportation Committee unanimously adopted, an amendment to the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act Of 2005 which requires the federal study.  Last September, the full House of Representatives approved the study by a 415-0 vote and, in April 2006, Senate lawmakers accepted the study in conference.

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Glen Caplin, Press Secretary

Office of Rep. Anthony D. Weiner

Office: (718) 520-9001

Fax: (718) 520-9010

Mobile: (917) 865-7556

Email: Glen.Caplin@mail.house.gov