Maritime transportation : major oil spills occur infrequently, but risks remain : testimony before the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, U.S. Senate /

When oil spills occur in U.S. waters, federal law places primary liability on the vessel owner or operator--that is, the responsible party--up to a statutory limit. As a supplement to this "polluter pays" approach, a federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund administered by the Coast Guard pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Fleming, Susan A.
Corporate Authors:	United States. Government Accountability Office, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
Format:	Government Document eBook
Language:	English
Published:	[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2007]
Series:	Testimony ; GAO-08-357 T.
Subjects:	United States. > Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Oil pollution of rivers, harbors, etc. > United States. Liability for oil pollution damages > United States. Oil spills > Law and legislation > United States.
Online Access:	https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS89058 http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/summary.php?rptno=GAO-08-357T&accno=A79029

Description
Summary:	When oil spills occur in U.S. waters, federal law places primary liability on the vessel owner or operator--that is, the responsible party--up to a statutory limit. As a supplement to this "polluter pays" approach, a federal Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund administered by the Coast Guard pays for costs when a responsible party does not or cannot pay. This testimony is based on GAO's September 2007 report on oil spill costs and select program updates on the recent San Francisco spill. Specifically, it answers three questions: (1) How many major spills (i.e., at least $1 million) have occurred since 1990, and what is their total cost? (2) What factors affect the cost of spills? and (3) What are the implications of major oil spills for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund?
Item Description:	Title from title screen (viewed on Dec. 19, 2007). "For release ... December 18, 2007." Paper version available from: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, 441 G St., NW, Rm. LM, Washington, D.C. 20548. Electronic resource.
Physical Description:	29 pages : digital, PDF file.
Format:	Mode of access: Internet. Address as of 12/19/07: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08357t.pdf ; current access available via PURL.
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references.