Blog
Oil Spill Update
Posted by Taylor Henry on June 03, 2010
U.S. Congressman Anh "Joseph" Cao
Defending Our Way of Life

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I met with constituents 
and held two town hall
meetings at the May
24th Claims Fair where
BP wrote $89,000 in
checks to oil spill
victims on the spot
Claims Fair

On Tuesday, May 24th, I held a Claims Fair at the Alario Center in Westwego for people who have lost income, suffered personal injury or sustained property damage from the oil spill and anyone interested in information about the disaster.  I held two town hall meetings at the Fair, and BP representatives took claim applications during the 10-hour event.  BP issued $89,000 in checks on the spot to applicants with supporting documentation of losses.  In all, 524 victims and concerned citizens attended the Fair.  BP processed 71 claims and trained 127 boaters in the Vessels of Opportunity (VO) program to help in efforts to contain and clean up the spill.  I am now planning to hold another Claims Fair.  I'll pass on details once final plans take shape.   Read More

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Grilling Corps of Engineers Deputy
Assistant Secretary Terrence C. Salt on
May 26th, one day before the federal
government approved the first berm
construction		  
Sand Berms

I was relieved to get  word from the White House that the federal government  will approve construction of all six sand berms the state has requested permission to build as a line of defense against the encroaching oil slick.  Word of the approval came less than one week after I confronted Corps of Engineers Deputy Assistant Secretary  Terrence C. Salt in a hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on why it was taking so long for the government to act on the request, which Gov. Bobby Jindal had submitted more than two weeks earlier.  Construction of the berms will be expensive, costing anywhere from $51 million to $155 million just to build the first one at Pelican Island.  National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen says the government will requre BP to pick up the tab.  It's imperative that we follow through and make sure BP pays up.  Read More


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Official MMS Logo
MMS Investigation

I was deeply disturbed over a recent report from the Interior Department's Inspector General showing Louisiana-based inspectors in the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the agency that is supposed to regulate natural gas and oil drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), were caught taking lavish gifts from oil and gas production companies, including Peach bowl tickets, and that they may have let company personnel fill out inspection forms and possibly worked under the influence of crystal methamphetamine.  Therefore, I have sent a letter to the leadership of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, requesting a hearing on and review of the MMS' inspection practices, its oversight of the Deepwater Horizon's certification and the agency's royalty collection procedures.  Read More

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In response to my questioning, BP
President Lamar McKay admitted BP has
no long term plan in place to help Gulf
Coast states recover from the spill		  
Holding BP Accountable 

In a May 19th hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I grilled BP President Lamar McKay on the oil company's handling of the spill.  Sadly, I was not surprised to learn that BP has no long-term plan in place to help Louisiana and other Gulf Coast states recover from the devastation.  I will continue to hold BP's feet to the fire, demanding that the company take responsibility for this tragic accident, which killed 11 and threatens our tourist and seafood-based economy--indeed, our very way of life.  I expect BP to address everything from long-term economic consequences of the disaster to its psychological impact.  BP must and will be held accountable.  Read More
 


OIL SPILL RESOURCES
Submit a claim for damages at
(800) 440-0858

For info on the response effort, visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com or call (985) 902-5231

Register to volunteer at
(866) 448-5816

Report oiled wildlife to
(866) 557-1401

Report oiled shoreline to
(866)-448-5816

Submit your ideas to stop the spill to (281) 366-5511

Join Vessels of Opportunity (VO) at (281) 366-5511

Check status of your VO application at (713) 422-4554
 OTHER NEWS
House Votes to Extend National Flood Insurance; Senate Action Still Required

Federal City Development Wins with House Vote on Land Deal
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