By a vote of 243-179 the House of Representatives passed a third drilling bill that aims to increase oil production in the Outer Continental Shelf, leaving southern California, all of the Atlantic Coast, Bristol Bay in Alaska and the Arctic Ocean vulnerable to a BP oil spill disaster.

Sponsored by Representative Doc Hastings (R-WA), H.R. 1231 directs the Department of Interior to offer a minimum of 50 percent of currently unused acreage in the Outer Continental Shelf in each five-year lease plan.

The following statement is from Jessica Ennis, Legislative Associate at Earthjustice:

“It’s troubling that the House wants to lease at least half of our coasts available in any 5-year period in the Arctic and beyond with absolutely no regard for the impacts these drilling operations have on the environment and fragile ecosystems.

“The potential for an oil spill in the Arctic is very real and would result in catastrophic disaster. This remote region is one of the least understood areas of the world, and a disastrous oil spill could leave oil in the waters off Alaska for decades, killing whales, seals, fish, and birds, and also threaten the livelihood and health of the native communities living in this region.

“The BP oil disaster is a sad lesson in the inherent risks of offshore oil drilling. Instead of rushing forward with plans to expand drilling operations, Congress and the administration must heed sound science before any drilling plans in these sensitive waters can proceed.”