Assembly joint resolution no. 59 State of new jersey 214th legislature

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 59



STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED JUNE 10, 2010

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman ROBERT SCHROEDER

District 39 (Bergen)

Assemblyman RALPH R. CAPUTO

District 28 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Wolfe, Thompson, Chivukula, Schaer, Prieto, Coughlin, Giblin, Assemblywoman Angelini, Assemblymen Peterson and Holzapfel

SYNOPSIS

Directs AG to take action to hold British Petroleum liable for any damages in N.J. from Gulf oil spill.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

A Joint Resolution directing the Attorney General to take action to hold British Petroleum responsible for any damages the Gulf of Mexico oil spill may have on the State’s coastline and economy.
Whereas, On April 20, 2010, an explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon, a drilling rig leased by the oil company British Petroleum (BP), set off a blaze that killed 11 crew members and, two days later, sank the rig about 50 miles off the Louisiana coast, which resulted in crude oil gushing out of a broken pipe nearly a mile below sea level at an estimated rate of 200,000 gallons per day; and

Whereas, Despite numerous attempts by BP to stop the oil leak, none have been completely successful up to this point and the oil spill is in danger of spreading around Florida and up the eastern seaboard if not abated soon; and

Whereas, If the oil spill drifts up the Atlantic coast, many of New Jersey’s natural resources and industries along its 127-mile coastline could be seriously jeopardized, if not destroyed or devastated, by contamination, including the fishing, shellfishing, and tourism industries which contribute many millions of dollars annually to the State economy and are priceless contributors to the quality of life and enjoyment of shore communities for residents and visitors alike; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Attorney General shall take all necessary steps and actions to hold British Petroleum legally and financially responsible for any and all damages the Gulf oil spill may incur on the natural resources of the State and the State’s economy.
2. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This resolution directs the Attorney General to take every possible step to ensure that British Petroleum will held liable for all damages to the State that may be incurred by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

(Sponsorship Updated As Of: 6/18/2010)