MMS TO REQUIRE OFFSHORE SPILL PLANS
The Minerals Management Service has issued an interim final rule requiring producers operating in U.S. state and federal waters to file oil spill response and contingency plans by Feb. 18.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is requiring that similar plans be filed for onshore facilities that might pollute U.S. waters, while the Coast Guard is requiring the same action for tankers.
Federal agencies have determined that onshore and offshore facilities and tankers must demonstrate they have the ability to execute their plans by Aug. 18 or stop handling, storing, or transporting oil by that date.
The MMS rule covers not only Outer Continental Shelf production facilities but also about 1,200 such facilities in state waters.
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