Louisiana Insurance Litigation BlogFines and/or penalties paid by BP will be paid to Gulf Coast states under the proposed “Restore Act.” Eighty (80) percent of any fines/penalties assessed in connection with the April 20, 2010, BP disaster would be paid to the five Gulf Coast states, where it would be distributed for economic and environmental restoration projects and scientific research. Under the current Clean Water Act, the fines from the BP spill go into a fund to help pay for future disasters. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fl, co-chair of the Congressional Gulf Coast Caucus comments on the failure of Congress to move the proposed Restore Act saying, “I’m disappointed there hasn’t been movement. I thought this would be a no-brainer.” The proposed Restore Act was added as an amendment to the current bipartisan Transportation bill, which has passed the Senate. The House version has stalled, and has been extended from July 1 through the end of September this year. Paying BP fines/penalties directly to the affected areas of the Gulf coast should help reestablish the local businesses, assist fisheries, and encourage restoration of the environment and our way of life.
Continued Push for Restore Act by Gulf State Legislators
