MMS Fails to Regulate Leaks in NJ and the Gulf of Mexico

MMS Fails to Regulate Leaks in NJ and the Gulf of Mexico Date : Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:29:21 -0400

Grace Sica, Outreach Coordinator NJ Sierra Club 145 W. Hanover St. Trenton, NJ 08618 p: 609-656-7612 f: 609-656-7618

For Immediate Release
June 22, 2010 Contact: Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club Director, 609-558-9100

MMS Fails to Regulate Leaks in NJ and the Gulf of Mexico

Leonardo, NJ - Earlier today Senator Bob Menendez wrote a letter to the Department of Interior about a leak in an oil tank off the coast of Monmouth County. The leak sprung in a tank regulated by the Minerals Management Service. The Sierra Club applauds Senator Menendez for his keen oversight of New Jersey's environment and is astounded by the growing list of failures of the MMS.

The oil leak is taking place at the Oil and Hazardous Materials Simulated Environmental Test Tank ( http://www.ohmsett.com) in Leonardo, Monmouth County. Senator Menendez became aware of the leak after trying to schedule a tour of the facility. The facility is closed for repairs and will reopen in July.

"The MMS can't be trusted, they can't even stop oil spills or leaks in their own tank," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "Now is the time to move beyond our fossil foolishness and invest in clean energy sources and a green economy."

The laboratories closure comes at a critical time. This is an important testing new technology on leaks and cleaning up spills. Tittel added, "To MMS, tanks a lot for the mess you created."

Tittel also encouraged residents of the Jersey Shore and all New Jerseyans to attend Hands Across the Sand this Saturday, June 26th at noon.

Hands Across the Sand is a national coordinated grassroots effort to protect our beaches from off-shore drilling. Participants will show en mass their support for our beaches by locking hands together at beaches across the country at high noon on the 26th. There are three main beaches and towns along the Shore that will host large events, including Asbury Park, Seaside Heights and Atlantic City, as well as 15 additional beaches along the Shore.

"On June 26th we will join hands for the future of America, for the environment and the economy, and to stand up to the MMS," said Tittel. "We can continue failed policies of the past that have risk our coasts and our economy, or we can protect our coasts, tourism, and our economic future."

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Received on 2010-06-22 10:29:21