Darren Soto : Rep. Soto Fires Back at Trump Administration Over Oil Drilling Deregulation Plans

Kissimmee, Florida - Congressman Darren Soto is concerned about the Trump Administration's plans to deregulate safety standards for offshore oil drilling. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) plans to publish new regulations which recommend rather than require oil drilling companies to perform production safety measures. In response, Congressman Soto is leading a letter to the BSEE in opposition to the proposed changes to safety regulations. He is also considering filing legislation to address this matter.

'The Trump Administration's plans to roll back production safety regulations for offshore drilling operations is a setback for Floridians. Oil spills off Florida's coast put our way of life in jeopardy. After dealing with the environmental and financial disaster caused by Deepwater Horizon, we know how important these safety regulations are. I applaud Congress for recently passing my bill, which was cointroduced by Republican Representative Carlos Curbelo, holding foreign companies responsible for an oil spill affecting U.S. waters and our coastline. We should continue to pass laws protecting our coasts rather than weakening standards aimed at safeguarding our environment,' said Congressman Darren Soto.

Last month, Congress passed legislation that would ensure foreign entities that cause an oil spill into U.S. waters and shores are responsible for all cleanup costs. The bipartisan Foreign Spill Protections Act (H.R. 468), co-introduced by Rep. Soto and Rep. Curbelo, was included in the National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Trump.