Governor Mitt Romney yesterday signed into law a broad measure intended to safeguard against oil spills and stiffen penalties for polluters. The law requires barge operators to use local pilots to guide their vessels and to seek tugboat escorts. Large vessels with single hulls must secure a $1 billion bond against accidents, with a lower requirement for double-hulled vessels. It establishes a cleanup trust fund paid for by a 2-cent-per-barrel fee on petroleum products delivered to Massachusetts marine terminals, and also increases civil and criminal penalties for spills, creating a new, $25,000 fine for knowingly making false statements. …
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