22 March 2011 | Read ClientEarth's comment

The UK government has issued its first response to the House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee report on UK Deepwater Drilling.  Commenting on the Committee’s 25 recommendations, the government defends several aspects of the UK offshore regime and rejects calls for EU intervention.

Susie Wilks, Biodiversity lawyer for ClientEarth gave evidence to the Committee. Commenting on today’s response, Ms Wilks said:

“It is crucial to realise, as the Committee highlighted, that the ability of oil spill response equipment to function effectively in the harsh environment around the Shetland Islands is seriously doubtful.  The government has recognised that prevention is better than cure – and it should not rule out any action which could help raise standards, including by the EU. "

“The response strongly defends the UK’s regulatory regime. While it’s true that UK offshore regulation has evolved in recent years, we mustn’t allow this defensiveness to mean we miss opportunities to plug gaps that remain."
    
“The Government’s commitment to review liability and insurance rules is welcome, but I’m concerned over comments about not deterring drilling by smaller companies who may not be as well-resourced as the BPs of this world.  There must be no possibility of obtaining a drilling licence without full guarantees that damage caused by an accident would be remediated in full, and that includes damage to wildlife and the environment.”

ENDS

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