BP has already awarded more than $400 million in claim payments during the 16 weeks it managed the process. And recently, the corporation announced that they will pay the state of Louisiana $218 million for coastal restoration, seafood promotion and testing and tourism marketing efforts to facilitate the state’s own recovery efforts, Gov. Bobby Jindal announced to the media.
That effort, Jindal states, will include: $48 million for seafood marketing and testing; $140 million to convert sand berms into larger barrier islands; and $30 million to help Louisiana’s tourism industry.
“America watched as the oil hit our coast month after month, and now we want every American to come here and be a part of another great American comeback,” Jindal said. “I am confident that we will absolutely revitalize Louisiana.”
This was in addition to $52 million that BP provided to federal and state health organizations to fund behavioral health support and outreach programs across the Gulf Coast region.
Bob Dudley, CEO of BP America, said measures and processes have been implement to prevent such a disaster from ever repeating itself in the future.
“Our objective is clear: BP must continue to deliver safe and reliable operations across the world. We continue on the journey to re-establish trust in BP around the world, especially in the U.S.,” Dudley assured. After toppling to record lows, BP is now regaining its fiscal footing. “We have made good progress during the quarter. This strong operating performance shows the determination of everyone at BP to move the company forward and rebuild confidence after the terrible events of the last six months.”
While the recovery phase is underway, BP advises residents and proprietors in proximity to the Gulf of Mexico against scams.
“There have been isolated reports of incidents in which individuals posing as BP employees have gone to people’s homes to scam residents,” said Mike Utsler, Chief Operating Officer of BP’s Gulf Coast Restoration Organization. “We want the community to know that neither BP nor its claims agency go door-to-door to collect personal data. Any data required for the claims process, employment opportunities or other matters is accepted only at BP claims centers and through authorized BP employees or representatives. “In addition, those seeking spill response jobs need to know that neither BP nor its contractors are charging fees for any safety instruction or other training.” –terry shropshire
For more information about response efforts, visit www.restorethegulf.gov.
