House bill aims to restart Gulf drilling

The moon rises in the east as a cold wind blows the U.S. flag Tuesday Jan. 30, 2007 in Fort Smith, Ark. The flag is flying at Cavanaugh Free Will Baptist Church. (AP Photo/Kaia Larsen)

US House: bill would see Gulf drilling resume

Kaia Larsen

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Luke Johnson

 02 March 2011 00:01 GMT

Many House Republicans are supporting a bill that would allow more than thirty Gulf of Mexico drilling projects to resume after a moratorium following the Macondo disaster halted all new deep-water projects.

Congressman Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania today introduced H.R. 840, known as the Safe Exploration Coming from Underwater Reserves of Energy (Secure) Act.

The bill would allow drillers with previously approved permits to begin producing oil immediately.

“Unrest in Libya is a clear warning to the US and our economy: become energy independent or pay the price with more job losses, a worsening economy, and families crushed by higher gas prices,” said Murphy, who was joined by 21 fellow Republicans in introducing the bill. “It’s time we got serious about securing our future…

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