In light of another report highlighting the systemic failures that led to the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, Reps. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) are inviting new BP CEO Bob Dudley to testify before the Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  Rep Waxman chairs the full committee, and Rep. Markey chairs the subcommittee.

A report released today by the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council noted that the oil spill resulted from “an insufficient consideration of risk and a lack of operating discipline.”  Given those findings, the Chairmen believe Mr. Dudley should testify publicly about the changes BP has made to improve the safety of its operations.  The Chairmen reiterated their request for Dudley’s appearance most recently in a letter sent on Friday, November 12, which can be found here.

“BP’s safety practices are matters of great importance to the Congress and the American public,” said Chairman Waxman.  “We need to ensure that all appropriate actions are being taken to ensure the safety and protection of the workers and the environment.

“This is the latest in a string of independent confirmations that systemic failures within BP’s drilling practices led to this disaster,” said Rep. Markey.  “Bob Dudley owes the American people and the Congress an update on how they will ensure this type of accident will never occur again.”

Below are links to a chain of correspondence between the Energy and Commerce Committee and Mr. Dudley.

• Letter to Robert Dudley, October 27, 2010
• Response from Robert Dudley, November 3, 2010
• Letter to Robert Dudley, November 12, 2010