Assembly Democrats introduced a number of bills in response to last November’s oil spill in the San Francisco Bay… They say the measures will strengthen the state’s role in clean-up and prevention.  One of the measures by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk is aimed at inland spills—such as when a pipeline breaks and oil leaks into a waterway. 

 “Many people would be surprised to know that there are twice as many inland oil spills as there are marine oil spills, but the state responds to less than a third.…”

Wolk says her bill would also increases penalties for such spills.  Opponents of the measure include the Western States Petroleum Association-- which says adequate fines are in place. 

Other bills would expand the requirement for tugboat escorts for ships carrying hazardous cargo—and set up training programs for volunteers to help respond to an oil spill.