WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL),
a Chief Deputy Democratic Whip, today demanded answers from BP executives and
Administration officials about BP’s lack of adequate safety measures which led
to the worst oil spill in the history of the North Slope at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
During a hearing of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations, Schakowsky said it was irresponsible and inexcusable that the
company refused to conduct proper pipeline inspections for over a decade while
making record profits.
Schakowsky’s complete statement follows:
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking member Stupak for
convening today’s oversight hearing into BP’s Pipeline oil spills at Prudhoe Bay
in Alaska. This is an important issue with major consequences.
“I am glad we are taking the time today to closely
review what’s gone on at Prudhoe Bay over the last several years. However, what
is obvious to me, to my constituents, and to any reasonable person reviewing the
facts of this case is that BP, a company that raked in over $7 billion in
profits in the second quarter of this year alone, neglected to conduct even
remotely adequate or responsible maintenance on its operating lines on the
Greater Prudhoe Bay field. Aside from environmental stewardship obligations, it
seems like plain commonsense to me that a company extracting oil as a means of
profit would want to routinely conduct thorough inspections of its pipelines to
ensure safe transport of the product. Why BP refused to do for years is
something I want to know.
“BP had been presented troubling indicators of
diminishing product quality in previous years, and conducted no major
investigative or corrective action. And despite discovering a leak on its
Western pipeline on March 2 of this year, which put over
200, 000 gallons of oil into the Alaskan tundra and was
the single largest leak in history on the North Slope, BP attempted to get out
of conducting further review of its lines, as had been ordered by the Department
of Transportation on March 15.
“Instead of doing the right thing, and what would have
been smart business, and conduct an immediate internal investigation of all its
lines, BP waited until June 6, then asked for relief and a pass on the DOT’s
previous “pigging” order, to conduct a thorough internal review of its lines.
“It was not until late July, almost 5 months after the
enormous leak was discovered and after it was further ordered by DOT, that BP
finally conducted internal testing. The results demonstrated numerous areas of
concern and yet another leak. Finally, On August 6, more than 5 months after the
initial March 2 leak was discovered, BP shut down production from its Greater
Prudhoe Bay field.
“It is astonishing and infuriating that any company
trusted by the public and the government to ensure a level of safety for our
environment and its use of natural resources to turn a profit, would be so
irresponsible.
“But it is truly beyond comprehension that a company
that is so grossly profitable would willfully avoid routine, detailed
inspections and maintenance on its pipelines. BP, as it turns out, had not taken
in depth internal looks at its pipelines using “pigs” on its Eastern lines since
1992 and its Western line since 1998. That’s fourteen and 8 years respectively.
If this company had spent as much on inspections, safety and maintenance as it
does on advertising and lobbying for tax cuts, none of us would have to be here
today. BP executives could be counting their bonuses and the public would be
assured of the company’s pipeline integrity.
“Instead, BP chose to bury its head in the sand and
tundra and to operate a see-no-evil approach to its Prudhoe Bay operations. This
company has a lot of explaining to do. And, as lawmakers on this committee, we
all need to ask ourselves if our policies are adequate, if we can afford to
trust companies like BP to do the right thing and if we can continue to rely so
heavily on energy products that present such risks to our environment, our bank
accounts, and our economy.
“I want to mention that my friend from Chicago, a
national leader, Reverend Jesse Jackson, was here in the audience today. His
organization has taken a strong interest in this issue and has been raising
important questions that consumers want answered. Most importantly, why BP can
make such huge profits while refusing to conduct adequate safety protocols and
why its customers are paying such high prices? Reverend Jackson’s organization
has conducted actions on this issue across the country and I appreciate his
leadership.
“Again, Mr. Chairman, I welcome our witnesses and look
forwarded to their testimony.” |