Pallone Demands Accountability for Oil Spill that Littered Jersey Shore with Tar Balls and Oil

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today demanded accountability for the oil spill that littered the Jersey Shore with 1,000 pounds of tar balls and oil debris. In a letter to the United States Coast Guard Commandant, Pallone expressed concern regarding the Coast Guard’s initial investigation of the oil spill, which inaccurately concluded the spill was contained, and requested more information about what the agency is doing to protect the environment following the spill.

“While I appreciate the Coast Guard’s swift response once your agency was notified on November 27 about reports of pollution in our Atlantic environment, the public should not bear responsibility for monitoring federal oil spill containment efforts nor should the spill have reached so far given intended environmental safeguards. A similar oil spill during the Jersey Shore’s peak tourism and recreation season could cost tens of millions of dollars in economic damage and lost income for residents due to closed beaches,” Pallone wrote. “The restoration of the health and beauty of our beaches is vital. I urge you to continue to carry out a robust cleanup effort to ensure full environmental remediation of this spill. I continue to stand ready to help deliver whatever resources or authorities may be necessary to make sure our Atlantic Coast environment is clean, prevent future spills and hold the responsible party fully accountable under the law for this damage to our waterways.”

In the letter, Pallone requested the following information:

• What steps is the Coast Guard taking to ensure full environmental remediation?
• What is the timeline for the investigation?
• What factors led to the Coast Guard’s initial incorrect conclusion that the spill was contained to the Vane Brother Company barge and containment boon?
• Did the Vane Brothers Company conceal its spill into the broader environment?
• Is the Coast Guard conducting an environmental damage assessment?
• What factors will contribute to the Coast Guard’s determination of the Vane Brothers Company civil penalty?
• What outreach to affected communities is the Coast Guard conducting to promote the phone hotline that members of the public can call to submit for oil spill damages?

Last month, Pallone announced the Coast Guard would conduct a fly over to ensure contamination is localized. The Coast Guard then led official cleanup activities and conducted sample testing to attempt to determine the source of the contamination.

A copy of the letter is available here.