EPA Faces Criticism Over Decision Blocking BP From Future Contracts

摘要

EPA is facing criticism over its debarment decision blocking oil giant BP from entering into any new contracts due to its criminal guilty pleas stemming from the 2010 Gulf spill, with the company suing to reverse the debarment and some industry officials saying the debarment is intended to increase EPA leverage in a pending case over civil penalties. EPA's debarment order is just a way that they are "thumping their chest" to give the Justice Department (DOJ) leverage in its pending civil suit against BP, which seeks $17 billion in damages in addition to the $4 billion penalties the company has already paid in the criminal case, Breitling Oil and Gas CEO Chris Faulkner told Fox Business News recently.