WASHINGTON — The House approved a bill Friday, 209-193, to boost safety standards for offshore drilling, remove a federal cap on economic liability for oil spills and impose new fees on oil and gas production. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Democratic leaders said the bill would increase drilling safety and crack down on oil companies. Companies with significant workplace safety or environmental violations over the preceding seven years would be banned from new offshore drilling permits.
Republicans and some oil-state Democrats called the measure a power grab that would raise energy prices and kill thousands of jobs.
Colorado’s delegation voted along party lines, except for Democrats John Salazar, who voted no, and Ed Perlmutter, who did not vote.
