The CLEAR Act–which includes safety measures for oil drilling and royalty recovery initiatives expected to reduce the deficit by up to $53 million–passed by a vote of 209 to 193, according to a press release from the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
“This bill will cut the deficit and stop oil companies from cutting corners on safety,” Markey said in the release. “Families and businesses in the Gulf who have been suffering for over 100 days from BP’s oil spill disaster can take some comfort tonight knowing Congress has acted to protect them from future oil spills.”
The House also passed the Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act by a vote of 315 to 93. Both bills were co-authored by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee.
“My whistleblower legislation will give voice to workers who have the courage to stand against oil companies when they observe a dangerous situation,” Markey said.
Meanwhile, BP will set up a $100 million charitable fund to aid unemployed oil rig workers in the Gulf Coast region, the company announced in a press release on Friday.
