[House Document 111-124] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 111th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 111-124 A REQUEST FOR FY 2011 BUDGET AMENDMENT __________ COMMUNICATION from THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES transmitting FY 2011 BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYJune 22, 2010.--Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed The White House, Washington, DC, June 16, 2010. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Madam Speaker: On May 21, 2010, I signed Executive Order 13543 establishing the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling to provide for a comprehensive look at how the oil and gas industry operates and how we regulate it. The purpose of this Commission is to examine both the relevant facts and circumstances concerning the causes of the disaster and to develop options for safety and environmental precautions necessary to prevent a similar disaster from happening again. This is why I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed amendment to Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 proposals in my FY 2011 Budget. This request responds to urgent and essential needs. Therefore, I request this proposal be considered as an emergency requirement. The details of this request are set forth in the enclosed letter from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Sincerely, Barack Obama. Enclosure. [Estimate No. 6, 111th Congress, 2nd sess.] Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC, June 16, 2010. The President, The White House. Submitted for your consideration is an amendment to Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 proposals in your FY 2011 Budget. The amendment would provide $15 million for the Department of Energy to fund the activities of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling established by Executive Order 13543 of May 21, 2010. This amendment would fund necessary expenses including personnel costs, authorized travel, research and investigation costs, reimbursement to Federal agencies for operational and logistical support, and other costs in carrying out the mandate of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. This request responds to urgent and essential needs and, therefore, the specific proposal is being requested as an emergency requirement. The proposed amendment is described in more detail in the enclosure. RECOMMENDATION I have carefully reviewed this request and am satisfied that it is necessary at this time. Therefore, I join the head of the affected agency in recommending that you transmit this proposal to the Congress. Sincerely, Peter R. Orszag, Director. Enclosure. FY 2010 Supplemental Proposal in the FY 2011 Budget DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Departmental Administration NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE BP DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL AND OFFSHORE DRILLING House Doc. 111-101 Page: 12 FY 2011 Budget Appendix Page: 1362 FY 2010 Pending Supplemental Request: - - - Proposed Amendment: $15,000,000 FY 2010 Revised Supplemental Request: $15,000,000 (In the appropriations language, insert the above new agency, bureau and heading and the following new language just after the Bodoni dash and immediately before the heading ``Department of Health and Human Services'':) For necessary expenses of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling established by, and in order to carry out activities under, Executive Order 13543, $15,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2011: Provided, That funds appropriated in this paragraph may be used to reimburse obligations incurred for the purposes provided herein prior to enactment of this Act: Provided further, That Congress designates this amount as an emergency requirement for these specific purposes. This amendment would establish the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling account in the Department of Energy and provide $15 million for necessary expenses including personnel costs, authorized travel, research and investigation costs, reimbursement to Federal agencies for operational and logistical support, and other costs to carry out the mandate of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling established by Executive Order 13543 of May 21, 2010. The Commission will use these funds to carry out their mission to:
Examine the relevant facts and circumstances concerning the causes of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster; Develop options for guarding against, and mitigating the impact of, oil spills associated with offshore drilling, taking into consideration the environmental, public health, and economic effects of such options, including options involving: --improvements to Federal laws, regulations, and industry practices applicable to offshore drilling that would yield effective oversight, monitoring, and response capabilities; protect public health and safety, occupational health and safety, and the environment and natural resources; and address affected communities; and --organizational or other reforms of Federal agencies or processes necessary to make certain such improvements are implemented and maintained. Submit a final public report to the President with its findings and options for consideration within 6 months of the date of the Commission's first meeting. The proposed total budget authority for FY 2010 in the FY 2011 Budget would increase by $15 million as a result of this amendment.