Markey: Gulf Spill Companies' Appeal of Violations is Appalling

WASHINGTON (January 6, 2012) -- Following the announcement that BP, Halliburton and Transocean will appeal the violations given to the companies by the Department of Interior in connection to their 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the leading force in Congress for oil drilling safety and oversight, issued the following statement:

"These companies shouldn't be appealing, they should be apologizing for their violations. Multiple investigations have shown the neglect, shortcuts and mistakes that led to this disaster, and the three companies should accept these violations as an already small punishment for the huge harm they inflicted on the people of the Gulf.  It is appalling that they are seeking to appeal these fines.

"These companies shouldn't just claim they take responsibility for this disaster, they should actually take responsibility. That means accepting these violations and paying their fines, not engaging in litigation and paying legal fees."

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