U.S. senator says EPA does not have the authority to regulate the industry and should lift the ban, imposed in November to prevent the oil giant from getting new federal contracts.
The Monroe News-Star reports that U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to lift its November suspension of oil giant BP's ability to secure new federal contracts, including oil leases in the Gulf. The Louisiana Democrat says the EPA doesn't have the authority to regulate the oil and gas industry, according to the newspaper. She says such arbitrary action against BP could "have a chilling effect" on other companies' desire to drill in the Gulf.
The EPA stepped in as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster that killed 11 wokers and created the worst oil spill in the nation's history.
"I'm furious and strongly opposed to the EPA's authority for suspension and disbarment," Landrieu said Tuesday. "I'm angry that this agency would put a business in a situation of what amounts to double jeopardy."
Read the story here.