US Government split over offshore drilling safety bill

Final approval of oil spill and energy legislation remains in doubt. Photo / AP

WASHINGTON: The House of Representatives has approved a bill to boost safety standards for offshore drilling and remove a liability cap for oil spills, but a partisan fight in the Senate will likely delay action on a response to the Gulf oil spill until Congress returns from the US summer recess.

Democratic leaders hailed the House bill as a comprehensive response to America's worst offshore oil spill. They said it would increase drilling safety and crack down on oil companies such as BP.

Companies with significant workplace safety or environmental violations over the preceding seven years would be banned from new offshore drilling permits, and whistle-blower protections would be extended to oil and gas workers who report hazardous conditions or other problems.

Republicans and some oil-state Democrats opposed the bill, calling it a federal power grab that would raise energy prices and kill thousands of American jobs because of the liability provision and new fees to be imposed on production.

Despite the House action, final approval of oil spill and energy legislation remains in doubt.

Congress won't be able to approve a final bill until at least September because of the summer recess, and Senate approval is uncertain.

Democratic leaders conceded this week that they might not have the necessary 60 votes to advance their legislation.

- AP