After the environmental disaster of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, British Petroleum made an agreement to compensate Gulf businesses harmed by the disaster. But now it's trying to back out of paying up.
Presenting itself as the victim in this worst offshore oil disaster in U.S. history, BP has gone so far as to publish full-page ads in the nation’s largest newspapers whining about Gulf businesses taking money “they don’t deserve.” The ads also accuse politicians and trial lawyers of encouraging businesses to inflate or falsify claims.
Even though the settlement is one BP co-authored and sought approval for, now that it finds it underestimated costs, it’s crying foul play.
Instead of wasting time and money on appeals and accusations, BP should be trying its hardest to make amends.
Tell BP to pay its dues and leave Gulf businesses alone!
We, the undersigned, say BP has dragged out this drama way too long, and it’s time to pay up.
According to Bloomberg Business Week, BP is Europe’s second-largest oil producer and made $376 billion in revenue last year. It has spent over a quarter billion on a damage-control ad campaign claiming the Gulf has returned to normal. Now it is spending even more accusing victims like Gulf businesses.
BP's contention that it’s getting “screwed” over excessive and questionable claims seems absurd, especially considering it’s not really certain just how much damage to the health of Gulf residents and wildlife will show up in years to come due to latent effects of these types of chemical exposures - from the petroleum pollution of the air and water to the chemicals used for clean up.
Even if there are some illegitimate claims, BP is still getting off easy in regard to punitive damages and damages that will certainly show up in the future and never be compensated for.
Instead of wasting more money trying to get out of its responsibility for this catastrophic environmental, economic and health disaster to Gulf businesses and residents, BP should be totally compliant with the agreement it made. Any excess resulting from questionable claims should serve as a warning to BP that it should spend more of its profits preventing such disasters in the future.
We request that you stop trying to blame those who have endured the worst of this catastrophic disaster you are responsible for - leave these Gulf businesses alone.
Thanks for your time.
