Florida Senator Nelson is exerting effort to try to move along restoration of the Gulf of Mexico and help those affected. Here’s a standard response letter he sends out that contains a lot of info on his good works in this regard. Too bad our other senator is simply watching. DV

Dear Mrs. Quirolo:

Thank you for contacting me regarding ongoing plans for restoration of the Gulf Coast one year after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. As you may know, I have opposed drilling off Florida for a long time now. There just isn’t enough oil in the eastern Gulf to justify risking our shores, our natural resources, and the many industries that rely on our coasts and waters and the military testing and training area off the Gulf.

Shortly after the spill, I introduced legislation that would lift the cap on oil companies’ liability in spills from $75 million to $10 billion. More recently, I introduced S.862, the Gulf of Mexico Recovery, Restoration, and Resiliency Act, which would dedicate 100% of the Clean Water Act penalties assessed to BP for ecosystem restoration and research, job and workforce development, and tourism promotion. It also would create a Citizens Advisory Committee and a Scientific Advisory Committee to provide input on the direction of Gulf restoration activities.

I just introduced S.983, which would prevent oil companies like BP from deducting the cost of oil spill recovery efforts. Last year, BP announced that they’d use nearly $12 billion in tax savings to offset clean-up costs associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I introduced this legislation because we should not allow oil companies to shift the cost of their mistakes to the average taxpayer.

I’ve been monitoring closely the work of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF), which BP established and funded to handle claims of economic damage due to the spill. At a recent Senate committee hearing, I questioned the head of the GCCF—Kenneth Feinberg—about the process for reviewing and settling claims. When he was appointed to the post, Feinberg promised the process would be open, quick, and independent of BP. But we’ve since learned there’s very little independence. And I’ve been hearing from way too many people who say they can’t get their claims paid in a timely fashion. I wrote the Administration to demand an investigation into the GCCF and its methods, and I won’t rest until this process becomes more transparent and efficient. Meantime, if you or someone you know is having difficulty with a claim, please call my Orlando office toll-free at 888-671-4091.

It is my hope and my belief that by the passage of time, the hard work and dedication of individuals, and the power of Mother Nature, the Gulf Coast will recover. Please do not hesitate to contact my office again.

Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you’d like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm