NYT/Reuters: Democrats Call on Congress to Probe BP Shutdown

[DeepModem Mom]

Democrats Call on Congress to Probe BP Shutdown
By REUTERS
Published: August 7, 2006

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday called on the U.S. Congress to hold hearings into BP's operations in Alaska following a second oil pipeline rupture at its Prudhoe Bay operations over the weekend that will shut the 400,000 barrel-a-day oilfield.

"It is appalling that BP let this critical pipeline deteriorate to the point that a major production shutdown was necessary,'' said Rep. John Dingell, the top-ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, in a statement.

"The United States Congress has an obligation to hold hearings to determine what broke down here and what laws and regulations need to be improved to ensure problem pipelines like these are found and fixed earlier,'' Dingell said.

Democratic Rep. Edward Markey, who also serves on the House committee, said the shutdown reflects BP's chronic mismanagement of its U.S. drilling operations and that the company had been earning enough money to prevent the problem.

"With oil above $70 per barrel and BP making record profits, it can afford to properly clean and maintain its pipelines,'' Markey said in a statement....

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-energy-bp-hearings.html

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Well that was quick

When are they going to demand a real 9-11 investigation. It's only been 5 years.

[peacebird]

3. now they've spoken out on the record - so they will safely do nothing more

:grr:

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. LOL

Yep, that's about it.

[KittyWampus]

7. They don't control Congress. What are they supposed to do?

Again, here the Democrats speak out and you trash them rather then the GOP (which probably won't have hearings or do anything at all) or Big Oil.

[MrCoffee]

8. They should sit quietly in the corner...

uppity Democrats!

[peacebird]

10. Politely disagreeing.... I wasn't trashing Dems instead of the GOP

I expect Dems to speak out on this and many other issues as well. That is what the opposition party is SUPPOSED to do. Unfortunately we have too few Dems in congress with spine enough for that task. So I was not "trashing" these for speaking out - far from it.

However - as I said - they have made their speech in public so now I do not expect or believe that they will push for anything more. Politicos in DC are very fond of bluster and speechifying, and then sitting down to let their corporate masters continue doing whatever they wish. That goes for GOP and many of the Dems.

Do you really expect so little from them that you are willing to let them off with "They don't control congress?" Of course they don't - but they certainly COULD make life a bit more uncomfortable for the GOP who DO, couldn't they? Why aren't they screaming bloody murder about the "culture of corruption" and the scam the GOP sold as "reform"?

[peacetalksforall]

13. I agree, Peacebird. They have a right to dissent and shout especially

in parallel to our shouting.

Too many Dems are way too polite and hesitant for me.

They're supposed to representing us. If they think they are representing the majority of us, then I'm in the minority.

But I have a suspicion that they like corporations and foundations with big money - over me. Especially war, weapons, and commodity companies?

[MrCoffee]

15. Wrong

They have a MORAL OBLIGATION to dissent and shout. Cowards.

[rzemanfl]

2. Their excuse is that when oil was cheap they didn't want to

dip into their meager profits to spend the money and when it was high they would have lost too much money by shutting off that valuable oil. I swear this was the explanation I saw somewhere on the net today. This translates roughly into "fuck everybody but us."

[peacebird]

4. if they can close their fields for a few months think how much MORE $$$

they will get for the oil when they start it flowing again!

:grr:

now they are manipulating the markets just like Enron did in California by scheduling "routine maintenance" to shut down power plants when the state was experiencing rolling black outs....

[MrCoffee]

5. I wonder who called Dingell's office?

Because the Big Three aren't to blame for piss-poor fuel economy, it's Big Oil's fault for letting gas prices get so high. Quick, John, divert the attention from the REAL problem!!!

[ShockediSay]

9. Is it BP that cornered the market in US oil refining??

I think it is, it is.

[Uncle Joe]

11. Finnfan thinks on this thread, the permafrost melted,

could that be the case?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1842449

[Miss Chybil]

12. Why work so hard to make more oil when you can earn record profits

on less?

[FighttheFuture]

14. Hmmm... seems like more shorting the market to make the profits!

They burned or shut down just about all the refineries they can. This is an easy one. Out for a litte while and a great exuse for another 40 cents/gallon over the next three months.

[FighttheFuture]

16. sounds like they need a little"Venezuela Treatment", nationalize...

then and fuck the Oil Cartels. They cannot run or support our energy needs and infrastructure for the benefit of this county, then take it away from them. Criminals should not be allowed to keep their ill-gotten gain.

Of course, with Republi-Fascists and DINO's, this will never happen, even with RICO laws.

[MrPrax]

17. It's a weird day....

No matter how long I lurk here...I will always find something new about America. it's a very fascinating country...but on topic?

Why would this be partisan and why wouldn't it be automatic? Wouldn't the reporting of the 'spill' automatically trigger some environmental review with appropriate fines?

The caribou would appreciate it, but I am not sure they vote Democrat...their mating rituals suggest a bias to the GOP ;-)

[orleans]

18. (smile)

"The caribou would appreciate it, but I am not sure they vote Democrat...their mating rituals suggest a bias to the GOP"

nice. now i'm mildly curious--but....i don't think i want to go there....you know what i mean?

[MrPrax]

19. Both ways...

1) Alaska is a Red State!!!

or the other way

2) Runting: they're territorial and they will beat the fuck out of anyone that looks at their 'woman'...very aggressive when they're not eating and sleeping or being obstinate...typical GOP voter.

Now...A good 'commie' animial is the duck -- they mate for life.

But both are in solidarity about having our crude oil destroying their habitats.

Me too. ;-)

[radfringe]

20. so when does the republican congress

give these "destitute" oil companies a bailout?

I'm waiting for the "without givernment aid we can't afford to fix the problem" excuse