264 



Mr. Pell. Mr. President, this amendment authorizes a study by the 

 National Academy of Sciences as to the risk of offshore oil drilling on 

 the Outer Continental Shelf. 



The Administrator of NOAA, after consultation with the Secretary 

 of the Interior, would be authorized to make arrangements with the 

 National Academy for the study with a due date back for a report of 

 July 1,1973. 



The cost of $500,000 ; and it does not call for a moratorium, it calls 

 for a study. 



Mr. HoLLiNGS. Mr. President, I heard the distinguished Senator 

 from Massachusetts at one time urge that the National Oceanic and 

 Atmospheric Administration conduct a study. This is an NOAA bill, 

 I understand the Senator has consulted with other Senators and they 

 agree that NOAA should arrange with the National Academy of 

 Sciences for this study. 



Mr. Pell. This would be the thinking of those who press the amend- 

 ment ; yes. 



Mr. Hollings. I say to the Senator from Rhode Island I would like 

 to go along with the amendment. I think we would, if given a little time 

 for Senators who are members of the Committee on Interior and In- 

 sular Affairs to consider it. I think some of the Senator's cosponsors 

 are members, but I have just been informed that members have not 

 considered it specifically. If the Senator will complete his remarks I 

 believe I can more intelligently comment, and if need be, we can request 

 a quorum and see if t)ie matter can be worked out. 



Mr. Pell. Absolutely, I realize that the committee did not take any 

 action on this matter earlier, since it had closed the hearings on the 

 bill, but I share and so do the other cosponsors, the concern of the 

 Senator from IMassachusetts (Mr. Kennedy) that an independent study 

 of the potential risks of offshore oil drilling on the Atlantic Conti- 

 nental Shelf should be available to the Congress. 



The National Academy of Sciences is a prestigious and competent 

 organization which will enable the Congress to consider the proposals 

 for offshore oil drilling with full laiowledge of the potential risks 

 involved. 



The study would take into consideration the recreational, marine 

 resources, ecological, esthetic, and research values which might be im- 

 paired by the proposed drilling, as well as alternatives to such drilling. 



The magnitude of the possible efforts of offshore oil drilling caimot 

 be underestimated. For that reason, it is essential that we have the 

 results of independent analyses of the potential impact of such drilling 

 before it is begun. 



While a few of us here would also lilce to see a moratorium, this is not 

 what we are pressing for at this time. We are pressing the idea of this 

 study, and we hope that our friends on the Committee on Interior and 

 Insular Affairs may also accept this idea as perhaps a middle ground 

 for the moment. 



I would ask unanimous consent that the statement by Senator Ken- 

 nedy, and correspondence from east coast Governors and laiowledge- 

 able scientists, be included in the Record at this time. Senator Kennedy 

 originally introduced this amendment in December and the revised 

 version is being introduced today to correspond to the bill S. 3507 

 reported by the Commerce Committee. 



