Gulf legislators send RESTORE Act letter

Gulf legislators send RESTORE Act letter

U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo and Sen. Roger Wicker joined other legislators who signed a letter to the Department of Justice after recent speculation that Gulf states might not receive all the BP oil disaster money they’re expecting from the RESTORE Act.

The RESTORE Act is supposed to direct 80 percent of the billions of dollars in federal Clean Water Act fines BP is expected to pay to the five Gulf states, instead of the federal treasury where such fines would normally go.

The letter expressed lawmakers’ concerns over reports of a potential settlement agreement that “disproportionately applies penalties to NRDA over the CWA.”

Clarion Ledger
10/5/12