Bill Text: MI SCR0048 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A concurrent resolution to urge the inclusion of a ban on new oil and gas drilling beneath the Great Lakes in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and to call for a study and assessment of the impact and risk from existing drilling operations on the Great Lakes.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-3)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-07-21 - Placed On Order Of Resolutions [SCR0048 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2009-SCR0048-Introduced.html
Senators Richardville, Birkholz and Whitmer offered the following concurrent resolution:
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 48.
A concurrent resolution to urge the inclusion of a ban on new oil and gas drilling beneath the Great Lakes in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and to call for a study and assessment of the impact and risk from existing drilling operations on the Great Lakes.
Whereas, The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement has coordinated U.S. and Canadian efforts to protect water quality in the Great Lakes for nearly 40 years. The agreement acknowledges that the Great Lakes are a shared resource, and activities on either side of the border can affect how people and businesses use the lakes on both sides of the border; and
Whereas, The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrates the disastrous potential consequences of drilling for oil and gas beneath the Great Lakes. A similar accident in the Great Lakes would foul water quality over large areas, devastating billion-dollar fishing, boating, and tourism industries and the millions of jobs associated with them. Great Lakes residents would face additional risks because the Great Lakes serve as drinking water for millions of people; and
Whereas, The risk to Great Lakes water quality outweighs the economic benefit from tapping oil and gas reserves beneath the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are far too valuable to far too many people, and the gulf situation clearly demonstrates that a catastrophic spill can happen despite precautions; and
Whereas, The United States has banned offshore and directional drilling in and under the Great Lakes, but Canada has not followed suit. There are more than 500 natural gas wells on the Lake Erie bottomlands under Canadian jurisdiction, and Canada continues to allow new offshore drilling for natural gas in the Great Lakes and directional drilling beneath the Great Lakes for both oil and gas. The Great Lakes will not be truly protected from a potential disaster until Canada agrees to provide similar protection; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we urge the inclusion of a ban on new oil and gas drilling beneath the Great Lakes in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and to call for a study and assessment of the impact and risk from existing drilling operations on the Great Lakes; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the U.S. Secretary of State, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Great Lakes Governors, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
