Oil Spills
#5432: Oil Spills (2005)
Creating the Oil Spill Advisory Council.
Supported by Sierra Club (1 point).
Signed into law.
Oil spills can devastate marine ecosystems. This bill creates an Oil Spill Advisory Council in the office of the Governor. The Governor-appointed council will make annual recommendations to state policy-makers on ways to improve oil spill prevention, response, and preparedness.
The Department of Ecology originally resisted the bill, but after lengthy negotiations and a strong push from Sen. Spanel, they agreed to a compromise version. It passed the Senate in large part because of Sen. Spanel's leadership. It nearly died in the House, but late support from Gov. Gregoire helped push it through.
Senator Spanel.
Senator Swecker co-sponsored the bill and lent bipartisan support.
