Single-Hull Phase-Out Bill Introduced

Representative Capps (D-CA) introduced a bill (H.R. 880) to amend title 46, United States Code, to accelerate to 2007 the application of the requirement that a tanker that carries oil in bulk as cargo must be equipped with a double hull, and for other purposes. Representative Capps said, the bill would, if enacted, accelerate the phase-out of single-hull tankers in U.S. waters to 2007. Single-hull tankers operating within 100 miles of the U.S. coast would have to be accompanied by a response vessel. The tax on imported crude oil would be reinstated, but only for oil imported in single-hull tankers.