CHAPTER 633
FORMERLY HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
NO. 18
REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT A DELAWARE BAY OIL TRANSPORT COMMITTEE.
WHEREAS, approximately 70% of all the oil that is delivered to the east coast of the United States moves by water up the Delaware Bay and River; and
WHEREAS, much of this oil is transferred several miles off the coast or in the mouth of the Bay from large deep draught tankers to barges or to smaller tankers so as to reduce the draught of the vessels to allow navigation up the Bay and River to unloading docks; and
WHEREAS, such lightering operations are hazardous and provide a potential threat of a catastrophic spill that could seriously contaminate our waters and beaches; and
WHEREAS, the volume of oil transported up the Bay is destined to increase markedly in the future even with no new refineries in Delaware; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Commerce is vitally concerned about providing an adequate supply of oil to the eastern United States, and has been studying bulk transfer terminals in the Delaware Bay and is now launching a study of the practicality and feasibility of a terminal at sea on the continental shelf; and
WHEREAS, the trend in ocean shipping is to even larger tankers of deeper draught;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor of the State of Delaware is requested to appoint a Delaware Bay Oil Transport Committee to study the logistics of transport of oil to and from Delaware River and Bay port facilities and to prepare within one year a recommendation for developing and operating oil terminal
facilities that would provide for much increased protection from spills and thereby safeguard our Coastal Zone and its recreational potential.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Delaware Bay Oil Transport Committee is requested to work as closely as possible with the U.S. Department of Commerce so as to be able to make maximum use of their findings.