Bill Text: MI HR0303 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the inclusion of a ban on new oil and gas drilling beneath the Great Lakes in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-06-24 - Reported With Recommendation Without Amendment [HR0303 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2009-HR0303-Introduced.html
Reps. Nerat, Barnett, Lisa Brown, Terry Brown, Byrnes, Ebli, Kennedy, LeBlanc, Liss, Neumann, Slavens, Smith and Warren offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 303.
A resolution to urge the inclusion of a ban on new oil and gas drilling beneath the Great Lakes in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
Whereas, The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement has coordinated U.S. and Canadian efforts to protect water quality in the Great Lakes for nearly 40 years. The agreement acknowledges that the Great Lakes are a shared resource, and that activities on either side of the border can affect how people and businesses use the lakes on both sides of the border; and
Whereas, The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrates the disastrous potential consequences of drilling for oil and gas beneath the Great Lakes. A similar accident in the Great Lakes would foul water quality over large areas, devastating billion dollar fishing, boating, and tourism industries and the millions of jobs associated with them. Great Lakes residents would face the additional risk that drinking water for millions of people could be affected; and
Whereas, The risk to Great Lakes water quality outweighs the economic benefit from tapping oil and gas reserves beneath the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are far too valuable to far too many people, and the gulf situation clearly demonstrates that a catastrophic spill can happen despite precautions; and
Whereas, The United States has banned offshore and directional drilling in and under the Great Lakes, but Canada has not followed suit. Canada continues to allow offshore drilling for natural gas in the Great Lakes and directional drilling beneath the Great Lakes for both oil and gas. The Great Lakes will not be truly protected from a potential disaster until Canada agrees to provide similar protection; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the inclusion of a ban on new oil and gas drilling beneath the Great Lakes in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the U.S. Secretary of State, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
