Presidential Commission Report on DEEPWATER HORIZON Sparks Controversy

On January 11, the President's National Commission on the DEEPWATER HORIZON incident issued its riveting report on the incident, its causes and aftermath.

Industry critics of the report quickly voiced harsh opposition to key aspects of the report aimed at the industry's culture. And, the individual companies involved in the incident will no doubt disagree with certain specifics pertaining to potential legal responsibility. Environmental advocates also criticized the report as not going far enough.

The President and Congress now will take up the report's recommendations. The President has asked his staff to advise him on areas where he can act through executive order and agency authorities to approve permits, environmental reviews, and response plans, etc. On Capitol Hill, hearings on the report are scheduled to begin later this month.

Notwithstanding the criticism that has quickly emerged and questions that remain, the report should be considered by all who are interested in this subject as required reading, if for no other reason than because it tells a compelling story about matters of critical importance to our nation. Among key recommendations, the report specifically advises increasing the financial responsibility and limitation of liability limits provided by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA). These and other OPA reforms could become part of the legislative agenda for the 112th Congress.