BP official addresses Clean Gulf Conference

Mike Utsler appointed by BP in early August to replace Doug Suttles as their lead representative in the Unified Area Command (UAC), recently addressed the Clean Gulf Conference in Tampa.

In his speech, Utsler provided an overview of the new BP Gulf Coast Restoration Organization, which is under the leadership of Lamar McKay, President of BP America.

This special business unit of BP will manage their ongoing response and restoration activities from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill with offices in each of the affected states, including Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas.

Utsler told the conference that with the well capped and sealed, BP would now start focusing on making sure the company keep their promises to the people and environment of the Gulf Coast.

“I have seen, and felt the spill’s impact - human and environmental - first hand. I try every day to help BP deliver its promises to the people of this region”, said Utsler.

However, it was only after the urging of President Obama, that BP established the $20 billion fund for claims payments, which Ken Feinberg is currently administering through the Gulf Coast Claims Facility.

Utsler also announced that BP is working closely with state and local officials across the Gulf region to make sure that their legitimate costs in responding to the crisis are reimbursed.

, “BP looks forward to a long future here. We know that it will take time to fully understand the oil spill's environmental impact, to ensure that any remaining oil is appropriately cleaned, to remediate environmental damage, and to make sure that all legitimate claims are paid. We'll be here working on those issues, and working to make drilling safer, every day for as long it takes”, said Utsler.

“Additionally, we’re doing what we can to foster economic restoration in this region working with key industries… we are confident that the Gulf region will rebound”.