Markey Delivers BP Storm Response Information

Original BP Gulf Response Project Didn't Mention Hurricanes, Tropical Storms

July 22, 2010 - As a tropical storm threatens to significantly interrupt operations at the BP spill site, perhaps delaying final resolution of the spill by 2 weeks, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today released information provided to him by BP on their recently-updated storm response plans. Representative Markey asked for the information following his discovery that BP's original Gulf of Mexico spill response Project did not mention the words "hurricane" or "tropical storm." Yet in the response to Representative Markey, BP insists it "always had a hurricane Project in place."

"While BP asserts that they were prepared for this kind of weather event, it was only recently that they applied a Project to catastrophic spills," said Representative Markey. "It's this same ad hoc attitude that has persisted throughout BP's oil spill disaster."

BP's response to Representative Markey, which can be found HERE, follows a letter of inquiry sent by Representative Markey on June 30, 2010. That original letter, including information on BP's lack of severe storm mentions in their original Gulf plan, can be found HERE.

These answers on BP's severe storm contingency Project follow yesterday's announcement by the other 4 major oil companies to assemble a rapid-response system to deal with catastrophic spills.