Rep. Michelle Steel (R.-Calif.-48) proposed a temporary ban on ships off the Orange County coast, after a massive oil spill that was started due to a snagged pipeline.
The proposal, named the Stopping Hazardous Incidents in the Pacific Act of 2021 (or SHIP Act), would prohibit ships from being near or anchoring within “24 nautical miles” from the OC coast, according to the Orange County Registrar.
If passed it would go into effect immediately and last for up to 180 days or until President Joe Biden ends port backlogging.
As for where ships would anchor in the meantime if the ban went into effect, a spokesperson for Rep. Steel told the O.C. Registrar “Anywhere that is not coastal Orange County.”
“This crisis could have been prevented and it’s important that we protect our waters and coastline,” Steel said.
On Oct. 1, the leak was first reported and then confirmed the next morning. The impact reached Huntington Beach before trickling down the south coast to other beaches.
On Oct. 4, it was revealed a ruptured pipeline owned and administered by Amplify Energy had been the cause of the oil spill. The company’s CEO, Martyn Willsher, said he believed a ship’s anchor hit and punctured the pipeline.
The Coast Guard estimated between about 25,000 gallons and 132,000 gallons spilled.
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