Oberstar Focuses on BP Spill

Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar is calling for a special presidential commission to examine the causes of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and then recommend actions to ensure that an environmental catastrophe of that magnitude does not happen again.

Oberstar, who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held hearings into the cause of the disaster. In his opening statement, Oberstar pointed to BP Oil’s poor safety record, citing a 2006 pipeline spill on Alaska’s north-slope that went on for five days before it was detected.

The 8th District Minnesota DFL-er questioned whether or not the company has the will to operate in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.