EPA Rule Delays Oil-Spill Enforcement

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fter months of pressure from Congress and industry, the Environmental Protection Agency has decided to issue a new proposed rule on oil-spill containment delaying enforcement beyond the previous Aug. 17 deadline, said Dave Evans, head of the agency’s oil program.

The new proposed rule, to be published in the next several weeks, would not address any industry concerns about the regulation other than the date companies must have revised containment plans in place, Evans said.

“We’re pleased that EPA has done this,” said Will Hart, a spokesman for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee chaired by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.). “We will work with the agency to get the best rule possible.” The committee has oversight responsibility over EPA.

Inhofe had written EPA asking it to extend the deadline for compliance rather than allowing companies more time.

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