Washington, DC - In recognition of the one year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf Coast on April 20, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement:

Senator Boxer said: "As we mark the one year anniversary of the BP oil spill, we are reminded of the heartbreaking economic and resource damages that were caused by this spill. I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Senate to move forward with legislation as quickly as possible to make sure those impacted by an oil spill will be compensated, protect jobs, and restore the natural resources on which our coastal communities depend."

Several pieces of legislation have been introduced and referred to the Environment and Public Works Committee regarding the oil spill in the Gulf Coast, including:

S. 214, introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act of 2011 - Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to remove the $75 million limit on liability for economic and natural resource damages associated with spills at offshore facilities.

S. 861, introduced by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Senator David Vitter (R-LA) - Amends the Clean Water Act to dedicate 80% of fines and penalties collected under the Act in relation to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to the five Gulf Coast states for the restoration of natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine habitats and coastal wetlands of the Gulf of Mexico.

S. 862, introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) - Amends the Clean Water Act to dedicate 100% of fines and penalties collected under the Act in relation to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to carry out activities for the restoration of the Gulf of Mexico that are identified in a comprehensive Gulf of Mexico restoration plan.

S. 594, introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the Oil Spill Victims Redress Act - Amends the Oil Pollution Act to clarify that entities can pursue compensation for damages related to an oil spill from any of the companies involved in the spill, and not only the company or companies considered "responsible parties" under the Oil Pollution Act.

###