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Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Prevention Challenge Dropped

Chris Boardman

Story Created: Dec 11, 2009 at 8:42 AM EST

Story Updated: Dec 11, 2009 at 9:30 AM EST

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard has dropped plans for a court challenge to a new state law designed to protect Buzzards Bay from oil spills.

The Standard Times of New Bedford reports that Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano wrote this week to Rep. Barney Frank to say that while there are still concerns about the law, no court challenges are scheduled.

The state law required escort tugboats for all fuel barges
moving through Buzzards Bay. Federal law requires an escort tugboat only for single-hulled barges.

The law was in response to a 2003 barge accident that poured
nearly 100,000 gallons of oil into the bay.

The decision was hailed by political leaders and
environmentalists.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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