Rep Miller Drafts Bill To Block BP From New Drilling Leases

30th Jun 2010 19:44

By Tennille Tracy Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--An influential lawmaker is drawing up legislation to block BP PLC (BP, BP.LN) from obtaining new offshore drilling leases for up to seven years. After voicing concern over BP's safety record in a congressional hearing Wednesday Rep. George Miller (D., Calif) now plans to introduce a bill that will empower the Interior secretary to deny offshore oil and gas leases to companies that represent a "danger to workers and natural resources." "It has been well established by government investigators and the news media that British Petroleum, in particular, has repeatedly violated safety standards and environmental laws in its efforts to boost profits," Miller said in a statement released Wednesday. Miller plans to introduce his bill in the next few days and will then offer the bill an amendment to broader reform legislation introduced by Rep. Nick Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat who chairs the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee. Miller used to chair the natural resources committee and he now heads up the House Education and Labor Committee. -By Tennille Tracy, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-6619; [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 30, 2010 14:44 ET (18:44 GMT)