Press Releases
Markey: Did Exxon Use Unapproved Response Plan in Arkansas Spill?
Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836 Unapproved Plan Increases Response Time for Worst Case Spills by 50 Percent; Revelation Comes as Exxon Sued by State of Arkansas, Justice Department WASHINGTON (June 14, 2013) - ExxonMobil was using a response plan that allowed for increased time to detect and respond to accidents during their pipeline spill in Mayflower, Arkansas in March. The only problem? That response plan had not yet been approved by the agency overseeing pipeline… Continue Reading
06.11.13
Markey: DOI’s IG Report on Powder River Basin Shows Reforms Still Needed
Taxpayers Losing Money, Safety at Risk, Report Says; Congressman Will Ask IG to Testify at Hearing Next Week on PWB Coal WASHINGTON (June 11, 2013) - Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) today expressed disappointment that taxpayers are likely still losing money due to a faulty lease process in the Western U.S.'s main coal supply area in Wyoming's Powder River Basin, according to a report released today by the Department of Interior's Inspector General. The report also found deficiencies in the enforcement… Continue Reading
06.10.13
Bipartisan Congressional Leaders Call on Secretary Jewell to Protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836 Reps. Markey, Fitzpatrick call for finalization of management plan for the Refuge WASHINGTON (June 7, 2013) - Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) wrote to Interior Secretary Jewell today asking that she finalize the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and include a recommendation that the pristine coastal plain be designated as wilderness to protect the biological hea… Continue Reading
06.10.13
Markey: With Carbon Emissions Up Globally, Action Needed to Battle Climate Change
Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, 202-225-2836 U.S. gains in clean energy, fuel economy show emissions reductions possible MEDFORD (June 10, 2013) - The International Energy Agency reported that global emissions of carbon dioxide from energy rose 1.4 percent to 31.6 gigatons in 2012. If we continue on this pace, our planet could see a temperature increase over nine degrees Fahrenheit. Also noted in the report was that the United States saw a 3.8 percent decline in energy emissions. U.S. reductions… Continue Reading
06.10.13
Natural Resources Democrats to Hold Hearing on Republican Offshore Drilling Bill
Republicans sought to short-circuit legislative process, denying opposing voices against bill WASHINGTON (June 10, 2013) - House Republicans are pushing the latest version of their "drill, baby, drill" agenda of offshore drilling, but not before Natural Resources Democrats ensure all voices are heard. Tomorrow, Democrats on the committee will hear from several witnesses, including a member of the BP Spill Commission, about the potential pitfalls of handing over our coastlines to oil companie… Continue Reading
06.04.13
Markey: Offshore Wind Competition Begins in New England
Interior to hold competitive lease sales for Massachusetts and Rhode Island areas in July WASHINGTON (June 4, 2013) - The Interior Department announced today that the nation's first offshore wind lease sale will occur on July 31 for two parcels off the shores of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee with jurisdiction over offshore energy development, praised the move to advance wind energy off New England's coastline. … Continue Reading
05.23.13
Sequester Takes Toll on National Parks, Visitors & Communities
As Summer Vacations Approach, Report Details Sequester Budget Cuts at 23 National Parks WASHINGTON (May 23, 2013) - Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for the National Park System, which includes natural treasures like the Grand Canyon and dozens of military sites and memorials. This upcoming weekend, however, vacationing families and visitors may notice some unwelcome changes as they head to the national parks. A new report, released today by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-… Continue Reading
05.20.13
Markey Says DOJ Should Appeal BP Trial Judge's Decision to Throw Out Obstruction of Congress Charge
Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836 WASHINGTON (May 20, 2013) -- Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), who led the investigation into the BP oil spill, today said that the Department of Justice should appeal the decision by the judge in the trial of BP executive David Rainey to throw out the charge of obstructing Congress. Rainey testified at the first closed-door briefing on May 4, 2010. Rep. Markey, who was then the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Energy … Continue Reading
05.17.13
Markey: Debate Still Needed on Scale of LNG Exports
DOE Approves Second Facility Without Clear Policy on Natural Gas Exports, Knowledge of Effects on Consumers WASHINGTON (May 17, 2013) - The Department of Energy approved the second natural gas export permit today for a Freeport, Texas terminal. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) expressed concerns about America's natural gas export policy, especially the scale that should be allowed and how impacts on American consumers and businesses are assessed. Rep. Markey has called on the Energy Department to bring… Continue Reading
05.16.13
Markey: New Draft DOI Fracking Rule “Extremely Disappointing”
Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836 Changes Make Regulations Weaker, Not Stronger, Says Congressman WASHINGTON (May 16, 2013) - A new draft rule to guide regulation of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, of oil and gas resources on public and Indian lands weakens safety and environmental protections and restricts public knowledge of dangerous chemicals, Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said today. The Department of Interior new version of the so-called "fracking rule" ignores ma… Continue Reading
05.10.13
Markey Report: Americans Still at Risk from Dangerous Offshore Drilling Practices
Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836 Oil Companies Suffering Safety Lapses Three Years After BP Spill, Data Show; Congressman Asks EPA to Continue BP Debarment from Federal Contracts WASHINGTON (May 10, 2013) - A new report, released today by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), shows that oil and gas companies drilling offshore in the Gulf of Mexico continue to suffer major safety lapses three years after the BP spill and that penalties are still insufficient to deter risky … Continue Reading
05.07.13
Markey Challenges Exxon on Arkansas Oil Spill Claims
Contact: Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836 Slow Response, Type of Oil, Cleanup Fund Contributions Questioned WASHINGTON (May 7, 2013) - Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) today questioned several claims made by ExxonMobil following their Mayflower, Arkansas pipeline spill in March that sullied a suburban neighborhood with thick Canadian tar sands oil-including the company's claim that the tar sands oil isn't even tar sands at all. In an extensive letter sent to Exxon's top executiv… Continue Reading
05.02.13
Markey: We need to find a lifeline for Massachusetts fishermen
WASHINGTON (May 1, 2013) - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced significant cuts to catch allocations. These cuts will adversely impact Massachusetts fishermen and local economies in the bay state. In response to the action by NOAA, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement: "The fact that we have known these cuts were coming for some time does not make them any less devastating to Massachusetts fishermen, their families, and th… Continue Reading
04.09.13
Markey to Hastings: Stop Ignoring Our Changing Oceans
Calls for Immediate Hearing on Impacts to Coastal Communities, Fisheries WASHINGTON (April 9, 2013) - Today, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) sent a letter to House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) requesting an oversight hearing to investigate the impacts of climate change on the oceans and on the people who live near the sea and depend upon it for their livelihoods. While Congress appropriated $60 billion in disaster aid for states hit by Superstorm Sandy, private pr… Continue Reading
04.03.13
Markey, Courtney, DeLauro, Welch Call for CFTC Commissioner Bart Chilton’s Re-nomination
Urge president to keep "strong voice for our nation's consumers"; Term Ends April 13 WASHINGTON (April 3, 2013) - Reps. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today asked President Obama to re-nominate Commissioner Bart Chilton to another term on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The CFTC is tasked with oversight over all commodities markets in the United States, giving them jurisdiction over the trading of oil, natural gas, precious… Continue Reading
04.02.13
Markey, Natural Resources Democrats Slide Into the Future with Groundbreaking New Energy App
Contact: Jeff Sharp, Natural Resources Committee Democrats, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-4079 Markey, Natural Resources Democrats Slide Into the Future with Groundbreaking New Energy App New "eVIZ" App Maps Energy, Extreme Weather, and Helps Consumers Save at the Pump **To DOWNLOAD the App, Click Here **For Screen Shots of the App, Click Here WASHINGTON DC (April 2, 2013) - Congress took a step forward on technology, transparency and innovation today as Rep. Ed Markey and the Natural Resou… Continue Reading
04.01.13
Markey Statement on Arkansas Canadian Tar Sands Spill
Oil Companies Skirting Spill Cleanup Tax for Tar Sands; Spill Highlights Dangers of Large-scale Transport of Tar Sands Oil WASHINGTON (March 31, 2013) -- Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) today expressed concerns about the transport and cleanup of Canadian tar sands oil following the Exxon pipeline oil spill in Arkansas that was transporting the fuel from Canada. Rep. Markey called again on the Internal Revenue Service to close a tax loophole that allows oil companies to forgo paying money into an oil … Continue Reading
03.25.13
Markey: Obama Protects and Preserves our American Heritage with New National Monuments
WASHINGTON DC (March 25, 2013) - Today the Obama administration will designate five new national monuments. These sites include: the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument in Maryland; Río Grande del Norte National Monument in New Mexico; First State National Monument in Delaware; Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Ohio; and San Juan Islands National Monument in Washington. In response to these new designations, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of … Continue Reading
03.20.13
Bipartisan Helium Bill Rises Out of Natural Resources Committee
Bill Would Ensure Continued Supply of Helium and Deliver Fair Return for American Taxpayers WASHINGTON (March, 20 2013)- Today, the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved bipartisan legislation to extend the life of the Federal Helium Reserve in Texas that will address a looming national helium crisis, reform the system to ensure a fair return to taxpayers on federally-owned helium, and widen participation and transparency in helium markets. Democratic Ranking Member Ed Markey (… Continue Reading
03.14.13
Markey: Timeout on Industry Proposals to Export American-Produced Oil and Gas
Contact: Jeff Sharp, Natural Resources Committee Democrats, 202-225-6065 Eben Burnham-Snyder, Rep. Ed Markey, 202-225-2836 or 202-494-4486 cell Thomas Seay, Rep. Rush Holt, 202-225-5801 Markey and Holt introduce trio of bills to restrain exports of American oil and gas WASHINGTON (March 14, 2013) - In the face of growing calls from the oil and gas industry to allow for the exportation of American-produced oil and gas resources, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Rush D. Holt (D-NJ… Continue Reading