The BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast is the worst environmental disaster in our nation's history.

As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I am working to hold BP accountable for the damage to the lands and the livelihoods of the Gulf Coast and we are making every effort to ensure a spill like this never happens again.

Below you will find some ways that you can help with the cleanup effort and do your part to reduce our nation's oil consumption.  

HELP GULF COAST COMMUNITIES with UNITED WAY                         

United Way is offering help to the families along the Gulf that are facing financial, educational and health-related challenges as a result of the economic disruption from this oil spill.  The United Way Gulf Recovery fund will provide emergency assistance by helping to supply food, rent and utilities.  The Fund will also support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild these lives and these communities.  

www.unitedway.org/gulfrecovery

HELP INJURED WILDLIFE with THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION  

The National Wildlife Federation Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund supports efforts to find and save oiled wildlife and help recover their delicate ecosystems that make up their nesting and breeding grounds. 

www.nwf.org

HELP RESTORE GULF COAST HABITAT with THE NATURE CONSERVANCY   

In response to the Gulf Coast oil spill, The Nature Conservancy has launched their Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration, expanding their efforts for long term recovery for the Gulf of Mexico and habitats along the coast, including, salt marshes, oyster reefs, marshlands, beaches and estuaries.  

www.nature.org

5 WAYS YOU CAN HELP REDUCE OUR NATION'S DEPENDENCE ON OIL

1. Drive less. With a 9% reduction in national daily gasoline consumption, we could eliminate our need for offshore oil.  At 22.4 miles per gallon, that's just 4.2 fewer miles of driving, per person, per day.  

2. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and take unused items out of your trunk.

3. Use less plastic.  Buy a cloth bag to bring to the grocery store, invest in a reusable water bottle, and avoid products with excessive packaging.

4. Wash your clothes on the cold or warm setting, not hot.  You'll save energy, your clothes will be just as clean and they will stay brighter for longer.  

5. Get a home energy audit.  A home energy audit is often the first step in making your home more energy efficient.  An audit assesses how much energy your home uses and evaluates what measures you can take to improve efficiency.