Higher Oil Spill Liability and Stronger Community Voice in Deepwater Port Licensing.
This law significantly increases the financial liability limits for companies responsible for oil spills from deepwater ports, aiming to enhance safety and ensure greater funds for cleanup and compensation. It also mandates active inclusion and extended public participation for local communities, especially those most vulnerable to pollution, in the decision-making process for new port construction. These rules are designed to protect citizens' health and the marine environment.
Key points
Increased Oil Spill Liability: Companies face substantially higher fines and compensation requirements in the event of an environmental disaster (e.g., financial responsibility for deepwater ports increases from $150M to $300M).
Empowered Local Communities: Residents and workers affected by potential port construction (including low-income and Tribal communities) gain the right to mandatory, longer (minimum 90 days) public consultation periods and translated documents.
Temporary Halt on New Ports: Issuance of new deepwater port licenses in the Gulf of Mexico is paused until a comprehensive regional environmental and climate impact study is completed.
Community Protection: Licensing decisions must now explicitly consider the project's impact on health, climate, and environmental justice communities.
Expired
Citizen Poll