Millions From BP Settlement Benefit Gulf Research: Harte Research Institute At Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Receives Funding

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tex. -- With Thursday’s announcement that BP has settled federal, state and local claims related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill for a total of more than $18.7 billion, leaders with Texas’ RESTORE Centers of Excellence are moving forward with plans to use millions in spill-related Clean Water Act funding on research and science activities that will benefit Texas and help to restore the health of the Gulf of Mexico.

Texas OneGulf, led by the Harte Research Institute (HRI) for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, was one of the first designated RESTORE Centers of Excellence in the nation to receive an award from the U.S. Treasury.

The establishment of the centres is part of Texas’ ongoing implementation of the federal RESTORE Act, which requires that the five Gulf states affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill establish centres to conduct research into environmental, health, economic and energy issues in the Gulf of Mexico region.

“The settlement announced today offers an opportunity to help monitor the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico and to bring our expertise to restoration efforts,” said Flavius Killebrew, president and CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

“Our Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies was selected as a Center of Excellence under the RESTORE Act because of our highly qualified scientists and our geographic location. We are ready to contribute to ensuring the long-term health of the Gulf through our research.”

Texas OneGulf, a consortium of nine Texas institutions, and the Subsea Systems Institute at the University of Houston will equally share an initial $4.036 million. In addition, with today’s settlement, the RESTORE Centers of Excellence in each of the five Gulf states, including Texas OneGulf, will receive 2.5 per cent of $5.5 billion in Clean Water Act fines to be paid out over 15 years.

“The announced settlement of the BP spill will allow designated Centers of Excellence to move forward and plan how best to use the $5.5 billion settlement of civil penalties under the Clean Water Act,” said Larry McKinney, HRI Director. “As one of the first RESTORE Centers of Excellence, Texas OneGulf has already designated a series of projects to be implemented with the initial $4.036 million in funding it has been granted, and will use the additional funding to advance research activities related to Gulf issues in Texas.”

Established in January, the Texas OneGulf consortium consists of a unique multi-disciplinary team of Texas marine science, socio-economic and human health institutions to promote collaborative research and problem-solving actions. For more information about the Texas OneGulf RESTORE Center of Excellence, visit http://www.harteresearchinstitute.org/tx-onegulf.

About Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi:

Offering more than 80 of the most popular degree programs in the state, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has proudly provided a solid academic reputation, renowned faculty and highly-rated degree programs since 1947. The Island University has earned its spot as a premier doctoral-granting institution, supporting a UAS test site, two institutes and 13 research centres and labs. http://www.tamucc.edu/.

The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, an endowed research component of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is dedicated to advancing the long-term sustainable use and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico. HRI provides international leadership in generating and disseminating knowledge about the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and its critical role in the economies of the North American region.

-NTM-

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