Northshore Conifer posted on May 10, 2010 13:11
WASHINGTON – United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., tomorrow will take part in two Senate committee hearings that will examine the environmental, economic and policy impacts of the oil disaster in the Gulf. Tomorrow’s hearings with be the first time that officials from British Petroleum (BP), Transocean and Halliburton will testify on Capitol Hill about the Deepwater Horizon accident.
Following the tragedy on April 20, Sen. Landrieu called for both a full investigation and Senate hearings to learn more about what went wrong and how future accidents may be prevented.
On Tuesday at 10 a.m., the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, of which Sen. Landrieu is a member, will review issues related to deepwater offshore exploration for petroleum and the accident in the Gulf of Mexico involving the offshore oil rig, Deepwater Horizon. Sen. Landrieu is expected to make an opening statement and question the following witnesses: Dr. F.E. Beck, associate professor at Texas A&M University; Elmer Danenberger, former chief of the Offshore Regulatory Program within the Minerals Management Service; Lamar McKay, president and chairman of BP America; Steven Newman, president and chief executive of Transocean; and Tim Probert, president of global business lines and chief health, safety and environmental officer of Halliburton.
Although she is not a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, the panel has asked Sen. Landrieu to testify during its 2:30 p.m. hearing, which will examine issues surrounding the oil spill in the Gulf, including the impact on the economy and the environment. The EPW committee expects to hear testimony from several corporations involved in the spill, including BP, Halliburton and Transocean. Witnesses will also include experts on the effects on local economies, fisheries and tourism, as well as wildlife and natural resources.