Carper Briefed on Oil Washing Ashore on Delaware’s Beaches

DEWEY BEACH, Del. – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, released the following statement after a briefing with officials about an oil spill that has reached Delaware’s beaches.

“I commend the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the U.S. Coast Guard, Tri-State Bird Rescue and well over 100 environmental professionals for their swift action and ongoing coordination to cleanup 65 tons of oil debris from our shores. These public servants have been working hard to remove the oil from our beaches, which are the hearts of our communities, economy and way of life along the coast.

“While officials continue to investigate the source of this oil, this should be a wakeup call for everyone. The thick, black, toxic oil washing up on our white sand beaches right now could become our way of life if the Trump Administration has its way. The Trump Administration pushed to expand offshore drilling off in the Atlantic Ocean. The Trump Administration removed the safeguards put in place after BP Horizon oil spill, flouting the comprehensive findings and recommendations made by the Deepwater Horizon task force.

“I am continuing to monitor this situation closely as officials work to remove this oil and determine its source, and I will continue working in the Senate to support and protect our coastal communities and wildlife.”

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