BP main man tells Congress: I'm so sorry
Source: Agencies |
June 18, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BP'S humbled CEO told the United States Congress yesterday he was "deeply sorry" for the company's catastrophic oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico as he sought to repair the British oil giant's reputation for its role in America's worst environmental disaster.
A day after agreeing to a US$20 billion victims' compensation fund, BP boss Tony Hayward told Congress that he was "personally devastated" by the April explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that triggered the giant spill - and that he understands the anger that Americans feel toward him and his company.
Before beginning his own testimony, Hayward was buffeted by scathing criticism from lawmakers from both parties.
Democrat Henry Waxman said in his committee's review of 30,000 items that there was "not a single e-mail or document that you paid even the slightest attention to the dangers at this well."
Hayward was appearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on oversight and investigations, which is looking into the April 20 explosion that killed 11 workers and unleashed the oil geyser on the floor of the Gulf, nearly 1,600 meters below the surface.
'Shakedown' claim
There was criticism for American President Barack Obama as well.
A leading House Republican accused the White House of a "US$20 billion shakedown" of BP by requiring the company to establish the fund to compensate those hurt by the spill.
Facing Hayward at the witness table, Republican Joe Barton said: "I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House" on Wednesday.
Creation of the US$20 billion fund - to be run by an administrator with a proven track record - is the first big success Obama has been able to give to Gulf residents and Americans in the eight weeks since the explosion, a period during which the spill has taken ever more of the public's attention, threatening anything else the president hoped to focus on or accomplish.
An AP-GFK poll this week showed that most Americans think the president has not handled the crisis well, a significant outcome in the countdown to November congressional elections that could cost Obama his Democratic majority in one or both houses of Congress.
BP's liabilities, including clean-up costs, compensation and fines, are breathtaking to consider - stretching far beyond the US$20 billion fund. The firm agreed to set up a US$100 million fund to support oil-rig workers.
A day after agreeing to a US$20 billion victims' compensation fund, BP boss Tony Hayward told Congress that he was "personally devastated" by the April explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that triggered the giant spill - and that he understands the anger that Americans feel toward him and his company.
Before beginning his own testimony, Hayward was buffeted by scathing criticism from lawmakers from both parties.
Democrat Henry Waxman said in his committee's review of 30,000 items that there was "not a single e-mail or document that you paid even the slightest attention to the dangers at this well."
Hayward was appearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's subcommittee on oversight and investigations, which is looking into the April 20 explosion that killed 11 workers and unleashed the oil geyser on the floor of the Gulf, nearly 1,600 meters below the surface.
'Shakedown' claim
There was criticism for American President Barack Obama as well.
A leading House Republican accused the White House of a "US$20 billion shakedown" of BP by requiring the company to establish the fund to compensate those hurt by the spill.
Facing Hayward at the witness table, Republican Joe Barton said: "I'm ashamed of what happened in the White House" on Wednesday.
Creation of the US$20 billion fund - to be run by an administrator with a proven track record - is the first big success Obama has been able to give to Gulf residents and Americans in the eight weeks since the explosion, a period during which the spill has taken ever more of the public's attention, threatening anything else the president hoped to focus on or accomplish.
An AP-GFK poll this week showed that most Americans think the president has not handled the crisis well, a significant outcome in the countdown to November congressional elections that could cost Obama his Democratic majority in one or both houses of Congress.
BP's liabilities, including clean-up costs, compensation and fines, are breathtaking to consider - stretching far beyond the US$20 billion fund. The firm agreed to set up a US$100 million fund to support oil-rig workers.
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