UPDATE: US Rep Drafts Bill To Block BP From New Drilling Leases

30th Jun 2010 20:15

(Update includes a comment from BP and details on the legislation to which Miller wants to add his bill.) 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 would 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 [BP], in particular, has repeatedly violated safety standards and environmental laws in its efforts to boost profits," Miller said in a statement released Wednesday. A BP spokesman declined to comment on the bill, but said, "Certainly on personal safety, we have a good track record." 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. Rahall said Wednesday he would hold a mark-up of his bill on July 14. 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 15:15 ET (19:15 GMT)