Sen. Carper Statement on Announcement of Final Payment Guidelines for BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Claims

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, released the following statement in response to the announcement of guidelines for both interim and final payments by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility for those affected by the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill:

“Today’s release of the final payment guidelines for residents and businesses harmed by the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill is good news. After nearly 10 months, these guidelines are a welcome stepping stone to making those affected by this disaster whole again. The two week public comment period allowed to review these guidelines also suggests that Mr. Feinberg is upholding his promise to make these claims as generous, fair and transparent as possible.

“The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC) informed my subcommittee late last week that over 500 claims denied by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility had been submitted to the federal government’s Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. In all of those cases, the NPFC has agreed with Mr. Feinberg’s determinations. We must continue to ensure that taxpayers are not left paying for any claims for which BP and Mr. Feinberg’s claims process are responsible. An open, generous and efficient claims operation and final payment procedure will go a long way to ensuring that taxpayers are not left footing the bill.”