Hastings Cautions Against Ending Offshore Drilling

By Rachel Whitt

The new Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee said Wednesday that the BP oil spill should not be the end of domestic oil drilling in the United States.

During a hearing focused on a report issued earlier this month by President Obama’s commission created to investigate last summer’s Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) called the spill a “terrible tragedy,” but warned lawmakers against using it as an excuse to shut down domestic drilling.

In his prepared opening remarks, Hastings said allowing oil companies to continue safely operating in the Gulf and elsewhere would create jobs and “mitigate America’s dependence on foreign energy that threatens our national security.” 

“Some people in Congress view this spill as an opportunity to shut down offshore drilling,” Hastings said, “That is not a solution; that is giving up.”

Following an eight month investigation into the spill, the commission, led by former Senator Bob Graham (D-Fla.), released its final report, which advised Congress to put in place new rules that would tighten oversight of the oil industry.

While more than a few Republicans have balked at the report, Hastings said on Wednesday that he would look into finding ways to ensure that oil companies operate at the highest degree possible.

“Republicans want to make offshore drilling the safest in the world…We believe in the need to make smart, effective reforms that are centered on improving safety, putting people back to work, and allowing responsible drilling to move forward.”