House Votes to Set Aside Obama's Drilling Ban for Rigs Meeting Standards
The U.S. House adopted an amendment to legislation overhauling offshore drilling rules that would set aside the Obama administration moratorium on deep-water exploration as rigs meet new safety standards.
The measure, sponsored by Representative Charles Melancon, a Louisiana Democrat, would lift the July 12 suspension for companies that meet requirements unveiled by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican who opposes the drilling pause, said the measure doesn’t go far enough.
While the proposal “sounds good,” it ultimately gives new authority to Salazar to continue the drilling ban, Scalise said.
The amendment was adopted 216-195.
To contact the reporter on this story: Jim Efstathiou Jr. in New York at jefstathiou@bloomberg.net
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